A*STAR And Globalfoundries Collaborate To Further Research In Silicon Photonics For AI Era

Joint silicon photonics development strengthens Singapore's position as a semiconductor innovation hub

SINGAPORE - The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and GlobalFoundries (GF), a leading international semiconductor manufacturer, will enter into a Master Research Collaboration Agreement (MRCA) to advance silicon photonics technologies.

Silicon photonics — which enables ultra-fast, energy-efficient data transfer — is foundational to next-generation AI systems. Singapore's early and sustained investments in this area have established the nation as a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain. A*STAR's Institute of Microelectronics (IME) launched Singapore's silicon photonics R&D programme in 2007, followed by the National Research Foundation's support for the Lux Photonics Consortium in 2015 to bring industry, academia, and research institutions together in the field of photonics.

A*STAR IME's capabilities later seeded the spin-off of Advanced Micro Foundry (AMF) in 2017, which has since become a key contributor to the global photonics ecosystem. GF's recent acquisition marks the next phase of AMF's journey, scaling to bring world-class silicon photonics innovations developed in Singapore to global markets.

Singapore is investing over S$1 billion in semiconductor R&D and translation to capture opportunities in the AI-driven economy. Priority areas include silicon photonics, advanced packaging, piezo-MEMS, RF Gallium Nitride, flat optics, and silicon carbide.

The new MRCA deepens the collaboration between A*STAR and GF, and underscores GF's commitment to expanding its production and R&D operations in Singapore. Its acquisition of AMF accelerates the ramp of its Singapore silicon photonics operation and enhances supply chain resilience. This aligns well with Singapore's ambition to strengthen its position as a trusted, advanced semiconductor manufacturing and innovation hub.

“Impactful innovation is about how ideas take shape in A*STAR's labs, and scale to meet real industry needs. Our collaboration with GF builds on nearly two decades of national investment and capability development. It reflects strong confidence in Singapore's translational R&D strengths. We look forward to pushing the frontiers of silicon photonics with GF and delivering new economic opportunities for Singapore,” said Mr Beh Kian Teik, Chief Executive Officer, A*STAR.

"The new MRCA, along with our acquisition of AMF, both underscore GF's commitment to advancing our innovation roadmap and leadership in the area of silicon photonics," said Mr Gregg Bartlett, Chief Technology Officer at GlobalFoundries. "Singapore's strong semiconductor ecosystem, along with our close collaboration with the government and partners like A*STAR, makes it an ideal place for us to further develop our silicon photonics platform and deliver high-performance, secure solutions to customers around the world."

“GlobalFoundries is a key pillar of Singapore's semiconductor sector, with extensive manufacturing, R&D, and regional headquarters operations that create skilled jobs and deepen partnerships with the local ecosystem. A*STAR and EDB have worked closely together to support GF's next phase of growth in Singapore and strengthen its footprint here,” said Mr Jermaine Loy, Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

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About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.