#Taiwan #ITRI #Hsinchu #Semiconductor

ITRI Unveils Advanced Semiconductor R&D Center

On February 14, 2026, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) began construction of its Advanced Semiconductor R&D Center at its headquarters in Hsinchu, Taiwan. This revolutionary facility is part of an initiative supported by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, the National Development Council, and the National Science and Technology Council, aimed at enhancing research and development capabilities in the semiconductor sector.

The center is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial commercialization, particularly regarding the needs of small and medium-sized integrated chip (IC) design companies and startups. By lowering verification barriers for these businesses, the center will facilitate their participation in the global semiconductor market.

The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and will serve three primary functions: innovative IC design verification, advanced process development, and the validation of localized equipment and materials. One of its most notable features will be Taiwan's first 12-inch advanced pilot line developed by a research institution, complemented by upgraded 8-inch facilities. This integrated environment will create a seamless connection between design, manufacturing, packaging, and testing, thereby fostering greater collaboration within the semiconductor ecosystem.

Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin attended the groundbreaking ceremony and highlighted Taiwan's impressive economic growth of 8.36% in the previous year, largely driven by advancements in the semiconductor and AI sectors. He emphasized the importance of supporting small and medium enterprises through specialized chip prototyping services that cater to diverse technological needs. The new R&D center will provide a comprehensive one-stop service platform that spans the entire semiconductor development process, helping suppliers to perform on-site demonstrations and validations.

The Advanced Semiconductor R&D Center is pivotal in nurturing frontier technologies, including AI chips, quantum computing, silicon photonics, and advanced memory solutions. By enabling these cutting-edge technologies, the center aims to fortify Taiwan's position as a leading player in the global semiconductor landscape.

In addition, the center will offer 28-90 nm back-end-of-line process R&D and pilot production services, with the ambitious goal of reducing product development cycles by nearly 30%. This initiative underscores ITRI's dedication to building a robust innovation ecosystem in Taiwan, enhancing academic partnerships, and broadening the talent pool in semiconductor-related fields.

Founded in 1973, ITRI has been a pioneer in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive sectors to innovation-driven endeavors. It has incubated numerous startups and spin-offs, including globally recognized companies such as UMC and TSMC. With branches in the U.S., Germany, the UK, Japan, and Thailand, ITRI continues to play a key role in shaping the future of technology and innovation. This new center represents another step forward in ITRI's mission to innovate and foster a sustainable and independent semiconductor industry in Taiwan.

For more information, visit ITRI's official website.