A Belgian entrepreneur is set to invest hundreds of millions of euros to establish a cutting-edge photonic chip centre in Flanders, a move expected to bring 500 jobs to the region.
The new facility will occupy the former site of BelGaN, once the nation’s only chip producer, which declared bankruptcy last year. While its workforce of 440 lost their jobs and its machinery was liquidated, the expansive cleanrooms of the 10,000 m² site in Oudenaarde were purchased by an unnamed buyer.
That buyer has now been revealed as Thema Foundries BV, via its subsidiary Bellaser BV. The company plans to transform the site into Europe’s first fully integrated production and service centre for photonic chips, with an initial investment of over €200 million.
BelGaN’s 2024 collapse left a void in Belgium’s chip industry. Once seen as a pioneer in gallium nitride (GaN) power chips and a cornerstone of European technological sovereignty, it was forced to shut down when Chinese investors pulled the plug, citing insufficient returns.
This closure marked the loss of Belgium’s sole chip factory and a strategic player in a globally booming sector. Experts described it as a blow to a continent actively seeking to strengthen its semiconductor industry through the EU Chips Act, aimed at reducing reliance on Asian and American manufacturers.
Thema Foundries is now opting for a different technological path, focusing on integrated photonics rather than GaN chips. Unlike traditional chips that use electrons, photonic chips use particles of light (photons) to transmit and process information. This approach promises faster and more energy-efficient chips.
Such characteristics are increasingly vital for energy-intensive sectors like data centres and artificial intelligence. Thema Foundries believes photonic chips can play a transformative role in reducing energy consumption. “The energy demands of data centres have become a global concern. Photonic chips can break this trend,” the company stated.
The renovated Oudenaarde factory will serve as a state-of-the-art semiconductor facility, housing production, slicing, packaging, and testing of photonic microchips, alongside research and development activities.
Thema Foundries derives its name from Theodore Maiman, the inventor of the laser, reflecting its focus on advanced light-based technologies.
The project is being backed by key players, including imec, a global leader in nanoelectronics, which will provide tech support. New Photonics will supply cutting-edge laser technology essential for photonic applications, while Ghent University’s renowned photonics research group is also involved. This group contributes expertise in silicon photonics and applications in telecommunications, sensors, medical devices, and advanced computing.
Although the exact investment amount remains undisclosed, industry experts estimate it will amount to several hundred million euros. Thema Foundries was ultimately chosen for the site due to its strong business proposition.
The company is looking to expand its capital base by bringing international partners on board in the coming months. However, it emphasises that Belgian and European roots will remain central, aligning with the EU’s goals of achieving technological sovereignty within its borders.
The arrival of Thema Foundries marks Belgium’s re-entry into chip manufacturing, filling a gap left by BelGaN’s closure. Beyond its symbolic value, the project represents a tangible step in connecting Flanders’ research strengths with industrial applications. For the Oudenaarde region, the new facility has the potential to become a powerful economic driver once again.
