IQE announces qualification and initial production of HBTs at Taiwan facility for Asian customer

Epiwafer foundry and substrate maker IQE plc of Cardiff, Wales, UK has announced the qualification, commencement of initial production and receipt of additional orders of wireless products for Asian supply chains.

As previously communicated, because of the current trade situation between the USA and China, supply chains are being redeveloped across the globe, impacting sales volumes for IQE’s products as global customers adjust to these new supply chain situations and IQE becomes qualified in these new supply chains.

However, IQE reckons that it remains well placed to support these changes because of its diverse global footprint, with manufacturing plants in the USA, Europe and importantly in Asia (Taiwan and Singapore), and its portfolio of wireless products.

IQE has now qualified with a major customer in Asia for new Asia-centric supply chains for heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), used as power amplifiers (PAs) in mobile handsets, WiFi hotspots and other wireless devices. Initial production for this customer has now begun and additional qualification of significantly higher production capacity is underway from the newly installed capacity at IQE’s facility in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

In addition, significant further orders have been received by IQE from a second Asian customer, specifically addressing increased demand from Asian OEMs.

Finally, IQE’s Singapore operation has also completed qualification of a new Asian customer for pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistors (pHEMTs), used in wireless devices and networks. IQE has already received initial orders for production.

“These new qualifications for Asian supply chains reflect the strength of IQE’s global manufacturing footprint, our leading product portfolio and our ability to quickly respond to the rapidly changing supply chain dynamics,” says Dr Wayne Johnson, executive VP, global business development, Wireless and Emerging Products. “We look forward to significantly increasing both the volume and breadth of products we are able to provide to these new Asia-centric supply chains, including products currently under development such as filters and high-performance switches.”

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