Rumor
UMC Licenses imec's iSiPP300 Silicon Photonics Technology for 12-inch Platform
Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 09:24 PM
Taiwanese foundry UMC has licensed imec's iSiPP300 silicon photonics process technology to accelerate the readiness of its 12-inch photonic platform, with risk production for optical transceiver chips planned for 2026 –2027.
Context
UMC has partnered with Belgium’s IMEC to produce silicon photonics on its mature 28nm/22nm process, targeting a significant move into the AI hardware supply chain. The collaboration aims for pilot production in 2026 and mass production by 2027. This strategic pivot allows UMC to repurpose its existing fabs for higher-value optical components, addressing the growing demand for high-speed data center interconnects as the industry moves from 800G to 1.6T speeds.
The move positions UMC to capture surging demand driven by next-generation AI accelerators. Nvidia's future "Rubin" platform is expected to integrate co-packaged optics (CPO), a technology that promises to cut network power consumption by over 10x and reduce latency by up to 20x compared to traditional copper links. By entering this market, UMC aims to join TSMC as a critical foundry for optical I/O, potentially boosting its margins and diversifying its revenue away from legacy nodes.
Sources (34)
UMC's Strength in the Silicon Photonics Supply ChainTAIWAN AND THE GLOBAL SEMICONDUCTOR SUPPLY ...Edition Week 14 - 2025Week In Review: Manufacturing, TestImec Strengthens Global Presence with New R&D Hub in ...Semicon Deep Dive: Setting New Ambitionsglobal semiconductor industry - PRADEEP's TECHPOINTSTSMC COUPE × Metalens: Building the Key Optical ...
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