TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — GlobalWafers recently announced its membership to SEMI’s Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance, joining 30 other companies in the global trade platform.

GlobalWafers said that silicon-on-insulator (SOI) is the foundation of silicon photonics, and the company possesses layer transfer technology, per CNA. The company said it has started small-scale shipments to the silicon photonics market.

GlobalWafers added its Missouri plant is expanding its 12-inch SOI wafer production capacity, with support from the US' CHIPS Act. The company anticipates that as the fab goes into mass production next year, shipment volumes will increase.

SEMI estimates the global silicon photonics semiconductor market will reach US$7.86 billion (NT$253 billion) by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.7%, highlighting the immense potential of the silicon photonics market, per UDN.

Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance was established on Sept. 3, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and ASE playing key roles in its formation, per TVBS. Its members are engaged in semiconductor manufacturing, assembly and testing, and integrated circuit (IC) design.