Polar Semiconductor and Imec Partner to Scale Up Power Chip Production in the US

2026-10-13 semicon

Leuven, Tuesday 13 October 2026
Imec’s IC-Link division has partnered with US-based Polar Semiconductor to manufacture 8-inch Gallium Nitride power devices, expanding domestic chip manufacturing for artificial intelligence and automotive applications.

Strategic Technology Transfer for High-Efficiency Power Solutions

On 12 October 2026, Polar Semiconductor, a US-owned foundry specializing in high-voltage and power technologies, announced a strategic collaboration with IC-Link, the ASIC design and manufacturing division of Belgium-based research hub imec [1][2]. Under the license transfer agreement, imec is transferring its Gallium Nitride-on-Silicon (GaN-on-Si) process, device architecture, and epitaxy intellectual property to Polar’s pure-play power semiconductor foundry in Bloomington, Minnesota [1][2][4]. The facility, which has been in operation for nearly 60 years in the Twin Cities area, will utilize the transfer to scale 200 mm (8-inch) production of enhancement-mode (e-mode) GaN power devices [1][4][6].

Targeting Critical Industrial and Data Infrastructure Markets

The technology transfer initially targets voltage spectrums ranging from 40 V to 650 V, with planned roadmap expansions into both lower and higher voltage ranges [1][2]. This covers crucial power architectures, including 800 V to 12 V power conversion systems designed to support the intense energy demands of modern artificial intelligence data centers, as well as 800 V electric vehicle drivetrain architectures in the automotive sector [1][4]. The initiative leverages more than 15 years of continuous GaN research and development conducted at imec, bridging advanced European microelectronics research with volume manufacturing in North America [1][4].

Seamless Prototyping to High-Volume Foundry Services

Through the IC-Link design-to-manufacturing platform, fabless chip designers and deep-tech innovators obtain early prototyping access to the GaN process before transitioning directly into full commercial mass production at Polar’s foundry [1][2][7]. This streamlined pathway reduces time-to-market for energy-efficient compound semiconductors across defense, aerospace, automotive, and industrial grid applications [1][2][4]. Executive Chairman of Polar, Reza Kazerounian, noted that the collaboration establishes a US-based GaN Center of Excellence aimed at reinforcing domestic chip supply chains, while imec’s Chief R&D Programs & Portfolio Officer, Thomas Piliszczuk, highlighted the scalability of the resulting global ecosystem [1][2].

Reinforcing Strategic Autonomy Across the Global Value Chain

By expanding production of wide-bandgap compound semiconductors like GaN, this partnership complements broader technological shifts across the semiconductor value chain [GPT]. While advanced silicon fabrication relies on cutting-edge lithography systems from equipment suppliers such as ASML and film deposition systems from ASM International, wide-bandgap materials like GaN offer higher switching speeds and power efficiency for specialized applications [GPT]. Combined with emerging domains such as integrated photonics—championed by European ecosystems like PhotonDelta—these advances in compound materials and ASIC design services collectively strengthen supply chain resilience and strategic autonomy across North American and European tech ecosystems [GPT].

Sources & Ecosystem Partners

Semiconductor Foundry Gallium Nitride