SOITEC BELGIUM NV

Their core work

Soitec Belgium (operating as Epigan) specializes in growing gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxial wafers on silicon substrates for power electronics and high-frequency applications. They serve as a material and process supplier within European semiconductor pilot lines, providing the GaN-on-Si layers that enable compact, efficient power devices. Their work sits at the critical junction between advanced materials research and industrial-scale semiconductor manufacturing, making them a key enabler for Europe's wide band gap semiconductor supply chain.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Early projects (2015-2018) focused on establishing GaN pilot lines, developing base substrate materials, and demonstrating compact power applications — essentially proving that GaN-on-Si could be manufactured at scale. From 2018 onward, the focus shifted toward more advanced architectures: integrating GaN with CMOS, mm-wave applications, and most recently vertical GaN structures that promise silicon-level cost with wide band gap performance. The trajectory shows a clear move from process validation toward next-generation device geometries and system-level integration.

Moving from lateral GaN process development toward vertical GaN architectures and system-level integration, positioning for the next wave of European power semiconductor manufacturing.

How they like to work

Soitec Belgium operates exclusively as a participant, never leading projects — consistent with their role as a specialized material supplier rather than a systems integrator. With 85 unique partners across 15 countries in just 5 projects, they work in large European consortia typical of semiconductor pilot line initiatives. This broad network signals they are a trusted, well-connected material provider that multiple research groups and industrial partners rely on for GaN epitaxy.

With 85 unique partners across 15 countries from only 5 projects, they are embedded in Europe's major semiconductor research consortia. Their network spans the full GaN value chain from equipment suppliers to device integrators and end-application developers.

What sets them apart

As one of very few European companies offering commercial GaN-on-Silicon epitaxial wafers, Soitec Belgium fills a critical supply chain gap for power and RF semiconductor development. Their consistent participation across all major EU GaN pilot line projects from 2015-2024 makes them an almost unavoidable partner for any European consortium working on wide band gap semiconductors. For a consortium builder, they bring both the material capability and the established network connections to anchor a GaN-focused proposal.

Highlights from their portfolio

• InRel-NPower
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 744,980), focused on reliability of GaN power devices — a key barrier to commercial adoption.
• YESvGaN
  Most recent project targeting vertical GaN on silicon, representing the frontier of cost-competitive wide band gap power electronics.
• PowerBase
  Earliest project establishing GaN pilot line capabilities, laying the foundation for all subsequent work in the portfolio.