April 8, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — Belgian GaN foundry BelGaN is set to be acquired by an undisclosed European investor for €200–250 million, with plans to produce photonic chips at its Oudenaarde-based fab.

The facility, which includes two large cleanrooms but no equipment, will be sold for €20.35 million. The buyer has reportedly made a €2 million down payment. According to court-appointed administrator Ali Heerman, the deal includes a business plan for semiconductor manufacturing, specifically targeting photonic chip production. Final negotiations are ongoing and up to 500 jobs could be created.

BelGaN’s origins date back to 1983 under the name MIETEC. The fab was later acquired by Alcatel and AMI, then sold to onsemi in 2008. GaN development began in 2009. Onsemi spun off the facility in 2022 as BelGaN, focusing on GaN foundry services. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2024 due to financial difficulties.

While the European investor is in a leading position, interest remains from other bidders, including a Chinese and an Indian company. One of them is reportedly Silex Microsystems AB, a Swedish subsidiary of China’s Sai Microelectronics, and the world’s largest pure-play MEMS foundry.