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VIGO Photonics project “HyperPic – Photonic integrated circuits for mid- infrared applications” has been selected for funding under FENG

The VIGO Photonics project “HyperPic – Photonic integrated circuits for mid-infrared applications” has been selected for funding under FENG

  • The recommended funding amount for the project is PLN 453,694,142.06
  • The aim of the HyperPIC project is to develop and implement the technology of integrated photonic integrated circuits intended for mid-infrared detection, build a complete production line of mid-infrared photonic integrated circuits and create a complete supply chain for these systems
  • The HyperPIC project is part of the European project Important Projects of Common European Interest in Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI ME/CT), which aims to strengthen the European microelectronics industry

 

VIGO Photonics (WSE:VGO) informed about the inclusion of the company’s project “HyperPIC – Photonic integrated circuits for mid-infrared applications” on the List of projects selected for co-financing under the FENG call for proposals (European Funds for a Modern Economy). The project will be implemented as part of the integrated European project IPCEI ME/CT (Important Projects of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies).

On June 12, 2023, VIGO informed about the approval by the European Commission of the maximum amount of public aid for the company up to EUR 102.9 million for the implementation of the HyperPIC project.

The aim of the HyperPIC project is to develop and implement the technology of integrated photonic integrated circuits for mid-infrared detection, build a complete production line of mid-infrared photonic integrated circuits and create a complete supply chain for these systems. The project requires the development of new technologies, significant investment and operational expenditure, as well as expenditure on the commercialization of new products on a dynamic market. As a result of the project, VIGO Photonics will become the world’s first manufacturer of mid-infrared photonic integrated circuits (MIRPIC).

The total amount of eligible costs in the project is PLN 878,606,239.96, and the maximum amount of public aid is PLN 453,694,142.06, which corresponds to the amount of the so-called financial gap in the project. Eligible costs include expenditure on research and development work, expenditure on the construction of a new production line and operating costs after launching the new production line.

The HyperPIC project is planned to be implemented in 2023-2030 and consists of two phases:

  • R&D phase (2023-2027) – the value of eligible costs in the R&D phase is PLN 150,738,267.75
  • FID (First Industrial Deployment) phase, i.e. the first industrial implementation (2023-2030), including investments in a new production line and implementation of new products into production, including financing of part of the operating costs during implementation. The value of eligible costs in the FID phase is PLN 727,867,972.21

After the end of the FID phase, it is planned to start serial production (after 2029), under which no public funding is provided for the project. The Company’s Management Board anticipates that the eligible costs of the project, above the value of funding from public funds, will be covered from the Company’s funds and equity, from debt financing and/or, in particular in the FID phase, from other sources, such as, among others, strategic project partnership and/or off-balance sheet financing in the project finance formula.

Potential recipients of HyperPIC systems will be contractors from around the world who use solutions in the field of broadly understood sensing techniques in their products, i.e. manufacturers of biomedical equipment, manufacturers of pollution monitoring devices, operators of critical infrastructure, companies operating on the IoT market, telecommunications operators and integrators, automotive industry , manufacturers of industrial machines and manufacturers of mobile devices.

 

One of the key elements of our strategy is the development of photonic integrated circuit technology. So far, the problem in the development of mid-infrared sensors has been the high price of producing and integrating a single system. The current rapid development of technology for integrating photonic components may open the way to the production of integrated photonic systems on a mass scale, thanks to the integration of the entire system on one chip, and the costs of the system will be significantly reduced – says Adam Piotrowski, President of the Management Board of VIGO Photonics.

 

The mid-infrared market is currently a virtually undeveloped area and is a great business opportunity for technology companies with appropriate potential and experience, such as VIGO. As an entity with many years of proprietary know-how and high technological competences, we have a chance to become a global pioneer and creator of this very promising market. Our products may, for example, be integrated with consumer electronics, so-called “wearables”, smartphones or household appliances in the future. We also see a wide range of their applications in biomedicine, pollution monitoring, critical infrastructure operators, telecommunications, cars and IoT devices – adds Adam Piotrowski.

 

Obtaining funding under FENG for the HyperPIC project is an extremely important milestone for VIGO. Thanks to it, we will be able to develop HyperPIC technology, in which we are global pioneers, and will create a strategic potential for the production of photonic integrated circuits for mid- and far-infrared in Europe, which in turn will allow us to maintain the technological advantage of the EU, as well as to strengthen the technological potential of the Polish economy – emphasizes Adam Piotrowski,

 

The HyperPIC project is also in line with the goals of the IPCEI on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI ME/CT) initiative in the area of designing processors and integrated circuits for artificial intelligence – in order to provide AI with appropriate data, it is necessary to process various physical information flowing from the world around us – temperature , chemical composition, distance from the object, etc. To make this possible, it is necessary to develop intelligent sensors that allow for quick measurements and provide AI systems with structured and processed data – says Adam Piotrowski.

 

Since 2020, VIGO has been developing the technology of photonic integrated circuits as part of the MIRPIC project, carried out jointly with the Warsaw University of Technology and the Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics of the Łukasiewicz Research Network. The research work carried out so far has allowed the identification and solution of basic technological problems related to the production and integration of elements and the development of a set of basic functional blocks (building blocks) for the developed technology. Further R&D work will focus primarily on expanding the spectral range of operation of passive and active elements included in the PIC system, optimizing the technology for manufacturing waveguide components, light sources and detectors in the mid-IR range, as well as, and above all, heterogeneous integration and packaging technology. . In the HyperPIC project, the development path of technology demonstrators is also extremely important – specialized systems for specific sensory, telecommunications, etc. applications, developed and manufactured at VIGO Photonics.

The HyperPIC project is a multi-year investment program with a positive impact on the competitiveness of the Polish economy and will be an impulse for the development of the Polish photonic technology cluster. It will also create many new jobs, both directly on the project and in the ecosystem of partners and customers, and will attract engineering talents to Poland. Thanks to HyperPIC, we will introduce a globally innovative product to the market that will enable work, among others: with consumer electronics, meeting the needs of AI, IoT and industry 4.0. As a result, thanks to this project, Poland can become a very strong player in Europe in the integrated photonics industry, and VIGO will be the driving force of the entire industry and, if all proportions are maintained, it can become the “European TSMC”. I am proud that VIGO can take part in the implementation of such a prestigious and important project for the Polish and European economy – sums up Adam Piotrowski.

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About the IPCEI mechanism

The IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) mechanism is one of the most important instruments supporting the new economic policy and competition policy of the European Union. Its aim is to strengthen the potential of European industry in the context of global competition. IPCEI ME/CT is the most important European support instrument for the entire microelectronics, photonics and semiconductor industries.

These technologies, defined by the European Commission as Key Enabling Technologies, are important for the development of the entire European economy. Microelectronic components and communication network systems and equipment enrich our lives by connecting the physical world with the digital world. The IPCEI ME/CT project addresses components that “FEEL, THINK, ACT and COMMUNICATE.” Each of these functional elements requires dedicated technologies and specialized knowledge, as well as high-performance equipment and materials. The IPCEI ME/CT project brings together the largest European companies from the semiconductor sector, both in the field of microelectronics and photonics.

Contact for media and individual investors:

Piotr Piotrowski, cc group

piotr.piotrowski@ccgroup.pl, +48 697 613 010

 

Contact for institutional investors:

Małgorzata Młynarska, cc group

malgorzata.mlynarska@ccgroup.pl, +48 697 613 709