Scotland is solidifying its position as a cornerstone of the UK’s technology and semiconductor landscape, leveraging strategic investments, cutting-edge industry developments, and a collaborative innovation ecosystem. Recent advancements in the Glasgow City Region and beyond highlight Scotland’s ambition to address global challenges in advanced electronics, particularly in the critical semiconductor sector.
A landmark development is the establishment of the National Advanced Semiconductor Packaging and Integration Centre (NASPIC) in Renfrewshire, part of the Glasgow City Region. Announced in July 2025, this initiative is backed by a £160 million investment from the UK Government through the Glasgow City Region Innovation Zone (GCRIZ), with an additional £29 million potentially allocated to expand facilities. Led by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and hosted within the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre (ANZIC), NASPIC aims to transform semiconductor manufacturing by reducing packaging lead times from months to days—a first in Europe.
Advanced semiconductor packaging is increasingly vital as technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, photonics, and electric vehicles demand compact, efficient, and high-performance chips. Unlike traditional focus areas such as chip design or wafer fabrication, packaging integrates chips into functional systems, enhancing performance and reliability. NASPIC will offer state-of-the-art equipment for wafer preparation, dicing, device mounting, testing, and final packaging, enabling UK companies to bring manufacturing in-house, reduce reliance on overseas supply chains, and mitigate geopolitical risks. The centre is expected to create 300 high-skilled jobs and unlock £800 million in revenue for UK and international businesses, reinforcing Scotland’s role in the global semiconductor market.
Complementing NASPIC’s efforts, Clas-SiC Wafer Fab Ltd. in Lochgelly, Fife, is driving advancements in silicon carbide (SiC) wafer production. Founded in 2017, Clas-SiC operates the world’s first dedicated open foundry for SiC power semiconductors, utilizing a state-of-the-art ISO Class 5 cleanroom with 150mm wafer manufacturing equipment. SiC is a high-performance material critical for power electronics in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and industrial applications due to its ability to handle higher voltages, temperatures, and efficiencies compared to traditional silicon.
In early 2025, Clas-SiC secured £4.5 million from Scottish Enterprise and other investors to expand its operations, enhancing Scotland’s front-end wafer manufacturing capabilities. With over 50 highly skilled engineers and a library of process module intellectual property, Clas-SiC supports rapid R&D and prototyping, helping global customers achieve faster time-to-market. The company is also exploring partnerships, including potential collaborations in India to establish SiC wafer fabs, signaling its growing international influence.
These initiatives reflect a maturing semiconductor ecosystem in Scotland, spanning materials, fabrication, packaging, and integration. The region’s historical strength in electronics, rooted in “Silicon Glen”—a hub for semiconductor activity since the 1940s—continues to evolve. Once home to major players like Motorola and NEC, Silicon Glen faced challenges during the 2000s dotcom crash but is now experiencing a resurgence driven by companies like Clas-SiC and institutions like NMIS. The focus on compound semiconductors, such as SiC and gallium nitride (GaN), positions Scotland to meet growing demand in clean energy and high-efficiency systems.
Scotland’s academic institutions, including the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow, play a pivotal role. Strathclyde’s expertise in advanced manufacturing and Glasgow’s leadership in SiC device research provide a strong foundation for industry-academia collaboration. For instance, the University of Glasgow is partnering with companies like Paragraf to scale up graphene-based semiconductor technologies, further diversifying Scotland’s capabilities.
Beyond semiconductors, Scotland’s innovation culture shines through events like Glasgow Tech Week 2025, set to host over 40 events across clean tech, photonics, life sciences, and digital systems. This platform fosters interdisciplinary partnerships, connecting researchers, startups, global corporations, and public bodies to tackle shared challenges. By showcasing Scotland’s technological strengths, Glasgow Tech Week underscores the region’s role as a hub for collaborative innovation, essential for advancing semiconductor development and related fields.
Scotland’s semiconductor ambitions align with the UK’s National Semiconductor Strategy, which emphasizes supply chain resilience and technological leadership. By investing in advanced packaging and SiC manufacturing, Scotland is addressing critical gaps in the UK’s capabilities, particularly in power electronics for net-zero goals. The region’s focus on skills development, through programs at NMIS and partnerships with organizations like the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF), ensures a pipeline of talent to sustain growth.
In summary, Scotland is carving out a vital role in the UK’s semiconductor landscape. Through targeted investments, industrial innovation, and a collaborative spirit, the Glasgow City Region and beyond are positioning Scotland as a global leader in advanced electronics. With initiatives like NASPIC and Clas-SiC, Scotland is not only strengthening its technological prowess but also contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future.
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