REG-IQE plc : $3m contract wins for IQE's Infrared division <Origin Href="QuoteRef">IQE.L</Origin>

IqeAnnouncement

19/04/2016 07:05

Increasing demand for IQE's InSb infrared products 
 
 Cardiff, UK, 19 April 2016 - IQE plc (AIM: IQE; "IQE", the "Group"), the
leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafer products and services,
announces that during March 2016 it has received record volume purchase orders
worth just over $3M, to be delivered over the next twelve months, for its
indium antimonide (InSb) and gallium antimonide (GaSb)substrate materials. 
 
 The purchase orders are from three long term customers of IQE's Infrared
Business Unit and are for various specifications of InSb and GaSb substrate
materials, including large diameter products that are used to fabricate
state-of-the art infrared detector products.  InSb and GaSb are key materials
for a wide range of infrared detector technologies in consumer, defence,
security, medical and industrial imaging applications. 
 
 Further details of the specific customer, product and application cannot be
disclosed at this time due to confidentiality designed to protect our
customers' IP and allow them to retain a competitive advantage. 
 
 IQE Infrared is uniquely positioned as a global market leader in the supply
of antimonide materials to the IR detector industry, with IQE's US (Galaxy
Compound Semiconductors) and UK (Wafer Technology) operations providing its
customers with a secure dual source of 2"-5" InSb and GaSb wafers.  IQE has
the World's largest antimonide wafer production capacity in the industry,
using multiple production tools (pullers), volume double side polishing
platforms and state-of-the art product metrology. 
 

 Dr Mark Furlong , VP of IQE's Infrared Business Unit, commented: 
 

 "We are pleased to have received these new orders as they reflect the high
quality of the antimonide substrate products that we supply as well as the
confidence that our customers have in Galaxy Compound Semiconductors and Wafer
Technology to support their longer term requirements for a wide range of InSb
and GaSb substrate materials up to 5" in diameter.   
 
 Contacts 
 
 Press/Investors investors@iqep.com 
 Chris Meadows 
 
 Technical info@iqep.com 
 Mark Furlong 
 
 ABOUT IQE  
 www.iqep.com   
 
 IQE is the leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafers with
products that cover a diverse range of applications, supported by an
innovative outsourced foundry services portfolio that allows the Group to
provide a 'one stop shop' for the wafer needs of the world's leading
semiconductor manufacturers.  
 
 IQE uses advanced crystal growth technology (epitaxy) to manufacture and
supply bespoke semiconductor wafers 'epi-wafers' to the major chip
manufacturing companies, who then use these wafers to make the chips which
form the key components of virtually all high technology systems. IQE is
unique in being able to supply wafers using all of the leading crystal growth
technology platforms. 
 
 
 IQE's products are found in many leading-edge consumer, communication,
computing and industrial applications, including a complete range of wafer
products for the wireless industry, such as smartphones and wireless
infrastructure, Wi-Fi, base stations, GPS, and satellite communications;
optical communications, optical storage, printing, thermal imagers,
leading-edge medical products, barcode, ultra high brightness LEDs, a variety
of advanced silicon based systems and high efficiency concentrator
photovoltaic (CPV) solar cells. 
 
 
 The manufacturers of these chips are increasingly seeking to outsource wafer
production to specialist foundries such as IQE in order to reduce overall
wafer costs and accelerate time to market. 
 
 
 IQE also provides bespoke R&D services to deliver customised materials for
specific applications and offers specialist technical staff to manufacture to
specification either at its own facilities or on the customer's own sites. The
Group is also able to leverage its global purchasing volumes to reduce the
cost of raw materials. In this way IQE's outsourced services, provide
compelling benefits in terms of flexibility and predictability of cost,
thereby significantly reducing operating risk. 
 
 
 IQE operates multiple manufacturing and R&D facilities facilities worldwide.
     
 

 This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf
of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients. 
 The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for
the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. 
 Source: IQE plc via Globenewswire 
 HUG#2004526