The UK semiconductor industry takes a unique position in the world thanks to its world-leading design capabilities and UK’s dominance in compound chips. The UK is the home of a major cluster for next-generation SiC and GaN chips that are critical for high-performance applications used for quantum computing, electric vehicles, 5/6G, Internet of Things (IoT), and immersive technologies (AR/VR).
This handbook dives into why the UK can be seen as a key player in the European semiconductor industry, with a presence across the entire supply chain, from design and manufacturing to testing and packaging. Its success is built on over 60 years of nurturing talent through world-class universities and strong academia-industry collaboration. Many global industry leaders started as UK university start-ups. The UK offers a pro-business environment, government support, and low geopolitical and natural disaster risks. This makes it an attractive partner for companies looking to expand their semiconductor businesses, with strengths in design and innovation that complement global capabilities.