Semiconductor Monthly | Jan '25
MRL Consulting Group - the semiconductor recruitment company
Global recruitment for the Semiconductor and high-technology industries since 1997.
We're back with our first edition in 2025 with the biggest and best bits of news for the Semiconductor Industry, from GlobalFoundries strengthening their production in the USA, to Wolfspeed unveiling their Gen-4 Silicon Carbide Technology, 2025 is off to an incredible start for so much of the industry.
At MRL, we've started the year by giving our website a well-deserved facelift, making it easier for you to navigate through, stripping back some of the unnecessary chunks of content, and placing a greater focus on our services and live vacancies - take a look for yourself here:
GlobalFoundries Strengthens Semiconductor Production in the USA
GlobalFoundries (GF) has announced the establishment of a center for advanced packaging and testing of semiconductors at its facility in Malta, New York. Supported by state and federal investments, the center aims to ensure secure, fully U.S.-based manufacturing, processing, and testing of semiconductors. The goal is to meet the growing demand for chips used in critical applications such as artificial intelligence (AI), automotive, aerospace, and communication.
The center will support innovative solutions like silicon photonics and heterogeneously integrated (HI) chips. These technologies enable chips with higher performance and efficiency, which are deployed in data centers, edge devices, automotive systems, and communication networks. GF plans to invest $575 million in infrastructure and $186 million in research and development over the next ten years. This initiative is expected to create approximately 100 new jobs and contribute to strengthening the local economy.
The decision to conduct advanced packaging within the United States underscores the efforts to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on Asian production facilities. For the semiconductor industry, this approach offers not only technological benefits but also strategic security – a critical advantage, especially in sensitive areas like defense and national security.
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Wolfspeed’s Gen-4 Silicon Carbide Technology: Redefining Efficiency and Innovation
Wolfspeed has unveiled its new Gen-4 technology platform, representing a significant advancement for high-power applications. The platform enhances system efficiency, shortens development times, and reduces costs while delivering robust performance even under demanding conditions. With voltage options of 750V, 1200V, and 2300V, it offers a wide range of applications, including electric mobility, renewable energy, and industrial solutions.
Key features of the platform include up to 21% lower resistance at operating temperatures, 15% reduced switching losses, and a short breakdown time of up to 2.3 μS, ensuring enhanced safety. This platform enables more efficient and cost-effective designs, meeting the growing demands for sustainable energy systems.
The increased localization of semiconductor production in the United States highlights the strategic importance of such technologies. In addition to driving innovation, it creates new opportunities for highly specialized professionals, which will have a lasting impact on the development of the semiconductor industry – a crucial focus for talent acquisition and management in an increasingly competitive market.
Vermont Becomes a Hub for Semiconductor Innovation
The Vermont Gallium Nitride (V-GaN) Tech Hub has secured nearly $24 million in funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This consortium, led by the University of Vermont (UVM) and supported by GlobalFoundries and the State of Vermont, aims to establish the region as a leading center for the development and production of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors.
This initiative is set to transform the technological landscape while driving economic growth and talent development. Over 500 new semiconductor jobs are expected to be created, alongside educational programs that will introduce more than 6,000 Vermont students to technology and engineering. Additionally, businesses will benefit from a new design and testing center offering cost-effective solutions for research and development.
The emphasis on GaN technology is strategically significant, as it enables more efficient and compact semiconductor solutions for applications like electric mobility, renewable energy, and high-frequency technologies. These advancements underscore the importance of the CHIPS and Science Act, which seeks to bolster domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on imports.
For talent acquisition and management, this funding initiative opens new doors. Demand for highly skilled professionals in GaN-related research, development, and manufacturing is set to rise. The V-GaN Tech Hub exemplifies how regional collaboration and strategic investments can not only foster innovation but also create long-term economic and social benefits.
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New Technology for Cost-Effective High-Speed Microchips
TRUMPF and the SCHMID Group have developed an innovative manufacturing process for the next generation of microchips. This process, applied in the field of "Advanced Packaging," enables the use of glass instead of silicon for so-called interposers—a critical component in high-performance electronic devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and AI applications. Glass is not only significantly cheaper than silicon but also offers the potential to reduce production costs substantially, making end devices more affordable for customers.
The process combines TRUMPF's laser technology with SCHMID Group's etching processes, allowing for precise glass processing, which is often thinner than a sheet of paper. Millions of through-glass vias (TGVs) are drilled into the glass, filled with copper, and connected to form electrical pathways. This method reduces process times by a factor of ten and significantly increases efficiency.
The semiconductor industry is on the brink of a major shift, as AI applications are expected to dominate the Advanced Packaging market in the future. According to the Boston Consulting Group, the market for advanced chip packaging is projected to reach over $96 billion by 2030.
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China’s Export Restrictions: A Signal in the Trade Conflict
China has tightened its export controls on critical high-tech metals such as gallium and germanium, sending a clear message in its ongoing trade conflict with the United States. These measures target materials that are essential for semiconductors, green technologies, and military applications. The goal is to highlight the U.S.'s technological dependence while also regulating the international transfer of technology.
The impact on the industry is already noticeable. While raw material prices in China have dropped due to limited export opportunities, prices abroad have surged. This has led to increased production costs in the semiconductor and solar industries, complicating efforts to advance digital and green transformation. At the same time, higher prices are encouraging new investments in mining projects outside of China, which could reduce long-term dependence on Chinese raw materials.
Europe is also facing challenges related to raw material shortages. The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and Germany’s Raw Materials Fund represent initial steps toward diversifying supply chains and strengthening supply security. However, Europe’s reliance on China remains significant, as developing alternative sources will require time and substantial investment.
Chip Manufacturers Warn of a New Supply Crisis
The lessons from the pandemic appear to have been forgotten: Leading semiconductor manufacturers such as NXP and Infineon are warning of renewed supply chain disruptions. Many companies, particularly in the automotive sector, continue to rely on short-term orders to save costs—a strategy that already led to production halts during past crises.
Chips are not mass-produced commodities. Their manufacturing requires complex processes and a lead time of 12 to 20 weeks. While current production capacities are not fully utilized, this could change rapidly if demand suddenly spikes. Semiconductor manufacturers are urging greater foresight to ensure supply chain reliability.
For the automotive industry, which increasingly depends on electronic systems, another shortage would be severe. The reliance on stable supply chains continues to grow with the rising demand for chips used in electromobility, driver assistance systems, and other digital technologies.
This situation also holds valuable insights for talent acquisition. Companies require not only strategic supply chain management but also skilled professionals who can navigate the complexities of global supply chains. Headhunters play a critical role in securing expertise in areas like logistics, planning, and technology.
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Hydrogel Semiconductors: Advancing Bioelectronics
A team from the University of Chicago has developed a hydrogel semiconductor that is stretchable, biocompatible, and highly flexible. This innovative material combines the properties of hydrogels with those of semiconductors, opening up new possibilities for implants and wearable medical devices.
Hydrogels mimic living tissue with their soft, water-based structure, facilitating the exchange of nutrients. However, they previously lacked the electronic properties needed to function as semiconductors. The researchers addressed this limitation by combining hydrophilic polymer semiconductors with acrylic acid, creating a biocompatible material with high flexibility and electrical conductivity. Tests demonstrated that the hydrogel semiconductor is flexible enough for use in sensitive tissues such as the brain, heart, or intestines.
In implant studies, the hydrogel semiconductor exhibited significantly lower immune responses compared to conventional materials. This breakthrough paves the way for applications like light-responsive wound dressings, sensors, or implants that interact more effectively with biological tissues.
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Optimism and Growth in Silicon Saxony
The Silicon Saxony industry network reflects on a successful 2024 and looks to the future with optimism. With the groundbreaking of TSMC’s new chip factory in Dresden and progress in projects from companies like Infineon, Bosch, and X-Fab, Saxony is solidifying its position as one of Europe’s leading semiconductor hubs.
Despite challenges such as high energy costs, bureaucratic hurdles, and a shortage of skilled labor, the region’s growth trajectory remains unbroken. In 2023, employment in Silicon Saxony grew by 6.4% to 81,000, and projections suggest this number will exceed 100,000 by 2030. The European Chip Act and the ESMC joint venture, involving partners like Bosch and Infineon, are further bolstering the region, attracting additional suppliers to Saxony.
Saxony’s semiconductor industry benefits from a unique combination of research density, production capacity, and the expertise of medium-sized enterprises. However, investments in infrastructure are essential to enable continued growth and to attract companies over the long term.
For talent acquisition, this upward trend offers new opportunities. The demand for highly skilled professionals continues to rise, especially in key areas such as chip design, manufacturing, and management. Strategic talent recruitment will be critical to securing the region’s competitiveness and driving innovation forward. Silicon Saxony demonstrates how strong networks and targeted investments can transform a region into a global semiconductor industry hub.