IQE plc

Their core work

IQE is a major compound semiconductor wafer manufacturer headquartered in Cardiff, specializing in epitaxial growth of advanced III-V semiconductor materials. In H2020 projects, they contribute industrial-scale expertise in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) for producing high-performance wafers used in photonics, quantum devices, and high-efficiency solar cells. Their role is typically that of the industrial fabrication partner who translates lab-scale semiconductor research into manufacturable wafer products for real-world applications in energy, communications, and computing.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

IQE's early H2020 involvement (2015–2018) centered on foundational semiconductor photonics — training networks for metamorphic nanostructures (PROMIS) and mid-infrared photonics fabrication (MIRPHAB). From 2019 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward application-driven semiconductor technologies: neuromorphic computing chips (ChipAI), high-efficiency hybrid photovoltaics (HIPERION), and quantum semiconductor devices using antimony compounds (QUANTIMONY). The trajectory shows a clear move from enabling general photonics research toward supplying advanced wafers for three specific high-growth markets: AI hardware, renewable energy, and quantum technologies.

IQE is positioning its epitaxial manufacturing capabilities at the intersection of quantum computing, neuromorphic AI hardware, and next-generation photovoltaics — three sectors with strong near-term commercialization potential.

How they like to work

IQE consistently participates as a specialist industrial partner rather than leading consortia — zero coordinator roles across all five projects. With 64 unique partners across 14 countries, they operate as a broad networker rather than a repeat-partner organization, indicating they are sought after by diverse research groups needing industrial semiconductor fabrication capacity. Their participation in both Innovation Actions (IA) and Marie Curie training networks (MSCA-ITN) shows willingness to engage in both near-market pilot production and longer-term research training.

IQE has collaborated with 64 unique partners across 14 countries, forming a broad European network spanning academic, research institute, and industrial partners in the photonics and semiconductor ecosystem. Their geographic reach extends well beyond the UK, with connections across major European semiconductor research hubs.

What sets them apart

IQE is one of the few publicly listed, large-scale compound semiconductor wafer manufacturers in Europe, giving them a rare combination of industrial production capacity and deep materials science expertise. Unlike university labs that demonstrate concepts at small scale, IQE can take consortium research from epitaxial wafer design through to pilot production — as demonstrated in HIPERION's pilot line for 30%+ efficiency solar cells. For any consortium needing III-V semiconductor wafers manufactured to industrial standards, IQE is one of a handful of credible European partners.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HIPERION
  Targets the commercially significant 30% efficiency threshold for multijunction solar cells, with IQE contributing to an actual pilot production line and demonstration sites.
• ChipAI
  Bridges photonics and AI by developing nanophotonic chips for neuromorphic spiking neural networks — a frontier application area combining IQE's semiconductor and photonics expertise.
• QUANTIMONY
  Explores antimony-based quantum semiconductors (InSb, GaSb, AlSb) for quantum memories, single photon sources, and infrared technology — positioning IQE in the quantum technology supply chain.