GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GF) and Soitec announced the two companies have signed multiple long-term supply agreements for 300 mm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. The agreements assure GF will have sufficient high volume wafer supply to meet the demand for its RF SOI, fully-depleted SOI (FD-SOI) and silicon photonics process platforms.

RF SOI ICs are used in 100 percent of smartphones, and FD-SOI has become the standard technology for cost-effective, low power devices for high volume consumer and IoT applications, as well as critical safety solutions in automotive proximity sensing. GF’s silicon photonics process is supporting the massive growth in infrastructure for data centers and next-generation 5G optical networks.

These new agreements build on the existing close relationship between the two companies.

“GF is delivering and investing in highly differentiated industry-leading technologies required for 5G, IoT, data center and automotive applications. These long-term agreements with Soitec, a valued partner, represent our commitment to ensure a secure supply of ultra-lower power, high performance SOI solutions and supply that meet customers’ fast growing needs and unprecedented demand in these attractive markets.” — Bami Bastani, senior vice president of business units at GF “GF is leading the industry in providing differentiated SOI solutions, creating more demand for Soitec's engineered substrates. These agreements reflect the strength of our long-term partnership, as we build the required capacity to meet this growing SOI demand.” — Paul Boudre, CEO of Soitec

Soitec, based in France, generated €444 million in revenue in fiscal 2019 and has 1,450 employees. In May, Soitec announced it would acquire EpiGaN, a European supplier of GaN epitaxial wafers, for €30 million in cash, plus an additional earn-out payment if certain milestones are achieved. EpiGaN’s GaN products support RF, power electronics and sensor applications.