Canada and UK Partner to Build a Stronger Semiconductor Supply Chain
July 9, 2025
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), together with United Kingdom-based Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult and Quebec-based MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI), has put in place a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen connections and grow a strong and resilient semiconductor supply chain for Canada, the UK, and other G7 countries. By leveraging shared interest in fostering growth and innovation, Canada and the UK will continue to be leaders in the semiconductor ecosystem.
Over the next 3 years, the MOU will align each partner’s capabilities in designing, fabricating and packaging semiconductors. This collaboration is about creating a strong value chain between Canada and the United Kingdom and sets the stage for technological leadership, ensuring a smooth path from development to production.
Semiconductors power military defence equipment, radar detection systems, high-performance computing, telecommunications, satellites, sensing and more. They are also essential for building AI data centres in Canada that are more energy efficient while ensuring sensitive and private information remains in Canada.
Having already played an essential role in shaping the Canadian technological landscape, semiconductors will continue to be critical for driving future economic growth, spurring innovation in emerging technologies such as quantum, and supporting efforts to attract and retain experts in strategic sectors in Canada.
Quick facts
- Semiconductor lasers are a type of photonic device that uses compound semiconductor materials such as indium phosphide (InP) or gallium arsenide (GaAs). It is more energy-efficient to transmit large amounts of data with photons generated by lasers than with electrons. Applications include internet connectivity, AI data centres and high-performance computing infrastructure, military defence, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), wearable health technology and more.
- About the CPFC: The NRC’s Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre is the only end-to-end pure play indium phosphide compound semiconductor photonics foundry in North America and is critical to the semiconductor laser supply chain. For over 20 years, the CPFC has worked with clients from start to finish on design refinement, creation, testing and fabrication of wafers. As a pure play facility, they focus on bringing client-led designs to market. Their custom photonics components and photonic integrated circuits are used in various applications, including AI data centres, military, defence, high-performance computing, telecom, sensing, quantum technologies and more.
- About Catapult: CSA Catapult is the UK’s authority on compound semiconductor applications and commercialization. They work with startups, small and medium-sized businesses, large organizations and academia to de-risk commercialization, eliminate barriers to market and accelerate compound semiconductor technologies.
- About C2MI: Supported by a world-class infrastructure in the fields of microelectromechanical systems manufacturing, advanced semiconductor assembly, compound semiconductors and electronic systems, and printable electronics, MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI) is at the heart of all industrial sectors integrating components essential to the use and deployment of digital technologies.
