Picture: Stride Treglown

A new ‘state of the art’ facility at Swansea University that will bring together ground-breaking research with technology development in the field of semiconductor science and engineering, is one step closer with the execution of the main build contract with Kier Construction for the Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) at the Bay Campus.

Work has already started on the 4,320m² three-storey building which will house an industry-leading clean fabrication environment, research laboratories and office facilities.

Kier will use sustainable, energy efficient building techniques and renewable energy technology including solar PV and heat recovery on the project.

Throughout the duration of this project, the construction company will work with its local supply chain, of which around 20% will be from the surrounding Swansea area, to deliver this building.

The facility has received funding from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF), which is administered by Research England in partnership with HEFCW, and will be located at the engineering quarter on the Bay Campus.

CISM, which is due for completion in 2022, will provide vital research and innovation support for the CSConnected Cluster, a growing network of regional semiconductor industry partners including IQE, SPTS Technologies and Newport Wafer Fab.

The Cluster partners also include Swansea and Cardiff Universities, the Welsh government and the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal in a highly co-ordinated effort to deliver critical mass and a competitive advantage for semiconductor manufacturing in the region.

The facility will be uniquely placed to deliver economic and social benefits to the south Wales region, particularly in the post-Covid era, as its cutting-edge facilities and research will bring new opportunities that can be met by a skilled local population and which will anchor compound semiconductor businesses in the region.

Professor Paul Meredith, Ser Cymru National Research Chair and Swansea University CISM project lead, said: “I am delighted that Kier Construction will be delivering CISM which will play a key part in putting Wales on the map as a major player in the rapidly growing UK semiconductor industry. When completed, the CISM building will be a hub for connecting research, innovation and manufacturing to drive economic growth in this region.”

Professor Paul Boyle, Swansea University vice-chancellor, said: “It is exciting to see this major project reach another important milestone, especially during such difficult times.

“The CISM project is a reflection of South Wales’ strength in semiconductor technology, and a paradigm of how universities can work collaboratively and successfully with industry and government to create innovation-led economic growth for our region.”