Singapore has launched the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Center for Gallium Nitride (NSTIC [GaN]) to lead the country in next-generation semiconductor innovation.
NSTIC (GaN) said in a statement on last Thursday that it is Singapore’s first national facility dedicated to Gallium Nitride semiconductors — a technology that enables smaller, faster and more energy-efficient electronic devices.
The center brings advanced GaN manufacturing capabilities to Singapore, positioning local innovators to compete in high-growth global markets such as advanced 5G and 6G communication systems, radars and satellite communications.
First set up in 2023 as the National Gallium Nitride Technology Center (NGTC), NSTIC (GaN) is a partnership between the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), DSO National Laboratories (DSO), and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore).
The center addresses common challenges faced by companies and researchers – such as limited local access to advanced facilities and the need for closer collaboration across the ecosystem – by providing industry and research collaborators with access to advanced wafer fabrication and prototyping infrastructure, strengthening Singapore’s position in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
It is noted that the semiconductor industry is a key pillar of Singapore’s economy, contributing nearly 6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and supporting around 35,000 skilled jobs across research and development (R&D), design, and advanced manufacturing.
NSTIC (GaN) is part of the broader National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Center (NSTIC) initiative led by A*STAR, which supports national efforts to deepen semiconductor R&D and innovation across priority domains such as photonics and advanced packaging.
Globally, Gallium Nitride (GaN) is gaining traction as a semiconductor material for applications in communications.
It operates at higher voltages, and switches faster and more efficiently, enabling high-frequency, smaller and more energy-efficient components than silicon counterparts.
These properties make GaN particularly suitable for high-performance applications such as 5G and beyond, satellite communication, and next-generation mobile communications.
NSTIC (GaN) was established to build national capabilities in this critical technology area, and to support companies in translating GaN innovation into real-world impact.
The center will offer access to infrastructure and R&D capabilities to help startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and multinational corporations (MNCs) prototype, validate and scale up competitive and commercially relevant GaN-based technologies.
Meanwhile, NSTIC (GaN) is the first facility in Singapore to host both 6-inch GaN-on-Silicon Carbide and 8-inch GaN-on-Silicon wafer fabrication lines – describing the diameter of the wafers, which determines how many chips can be fabricated per wafer and impacts production efficiency and cost.
This dual capability allows the center to serve a wide range of applications with differing performance requirements.
It will also offer advanced GaN technology with gate length below 0.1 micrometres and operation frequencies above 100GHz 1 which allows for very fast processing speeds.
This will place Singapore among a select group of global locations with the infrastructure to produce advanced semiconductors that will power future communication and advanced instrumentation technology — strengthening both national resilience and global competitiveness.
From mid-2026, NSTIC (GaN) will begin offering commercial foundry services for prototyping and fabrication.
This will enable companies to carry out advanced development work locally, reducing reliance on overseas facilities and accelerating their time-to-market.
The availability of such infrastructure in Singapore helps lower capital and technology barriers — especially for start-ups and SMEs — and supports the growth of a more self-sufficient semiconductor innovation ecosystem.
“NSTIC (GaN) is not just a facility — it is a national platform for innovation and a catalyst for future technologies,
“Our goal is to build deep capabilities in GaN manufacturing and research, so that Singapore can help define the future of high-performance semiconductors,” said Cheong Chee Hoo, Chairman of the NSTIC (GaN) Steering Committee.
According to the statement, industry partnerships are a key part of NSTIC (GaN)’s approach, enabling the center to co-develop technologies, strengthen local capabilities, and support strategic access to critical materials.
One such collaboration involves WaferLead, a local start-up working with NSTIC (GaN) to develop high-quality Silicon Carbide substrates — a key component in GaN wafer production.
This partnership will support the development and enhancement of wafer performance, quality and reliability, while strengthening local capabilities and Singapore’s supply chain resilience.
As part of the launch, several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and research collaboration agreements (RCAs) will be signed between NSTIC (GaN) and industry partners.
These collaborations span areas such as substrate development, high-frequency circuit design, advanced packaging, and fabrication process enhancement.
NSTIC (GaN) also plays a strategic role in developing a strong pipeline of local semiconductor talent.
Through partnerships with Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), the center offers students and researchers early exposure to industry-grade infrastructure and processes, equipping them with practical experiences in the semiconductor sector.
The center also supports PhD training programs in collaboration with IHLs and industry, helping to deepen translational research capabilities in GaN technologies.
These efforts are critical to ensuring that Singapore has the talent base needed to support the growth of our deep-tech innovation ecosystem.