Black Semiconductor, a German company specialising in chip connectivity, has acquired Dutch-based Applied Nanolayers, to accelerate the development of its Integrated Graphene Photonics (IGP) technology by two years.
The IGP technology platform is designed to enable energy-efficient and high-speed data communication. It connects thousands of chips to function as a unified system, supporting developments in AI, robotics, autonomous driving, and high-performance computing.
Black Semiconductor’s expertise in chip architectures and photonic process technology will be combined with Applied Nanolayers’ knowledge in graphene material production.
Advancing semiconductor technology with 2D materials
Delft-based Applied Nanolayers, founded in 2012, is developing a platform for the semiconductor industry focused on graphene and other two-dimensional materials.
As conventional chips reach physical limits in miniaturisation, these materials offer new possibilities beyond Moore’s law. Graphene’s properties are expected to play a key role in advancing technologies such as sensors and photonics.
With over a decade of experience, ANL specialises in applying 2D materials and has worked with major industry players. The company supplies high-performance graphene at scale and offers transfer technology and foundry services.
Its solutions support established companies, startups, and researchers in integrating graphene into their product development, while also exploring the future potential of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs).
Aim of the acquisition
Black Semiconductor has acquired Applied Nanolayers (ANL), which is now operating as Black Semiconductor Netherlands.
Applied Nanolayers has 12 years of experience in wafer-level graphene integration. The acquisition enhances Black Semiconductor’s ability to process graphene with a semi-automated 200mm production platform capable of manufacturing 10,000 wafers per year.
Plans are in place to expand to a fully automated 300mm process, increasing production capacity to over 1 million wafers annually.
This integration of ANL’s expertise aligns with the opening of Black Semiconductor’s FabONE headquarters in January 2025, where the company will establish the first Integrated Graphene Photonics (IGP) 300mm wafer pilot line. This initiative is a step toward volume production using graphene material from 2029.
Black Semiconductor mentions that this acquisition strengthens its technological development and contributes to Europe’s position in the global semiconductor industry.
Dr. Daniel Schall, co-founder and CEO of Black Semiconductor, says, “This acquisition accelerates our technology development, and both teams are mutually excited about the transaction.”
“We will provide the industry with an unbeatable integration of photonics and electronics at a very competitive cost and solve the fundamental performance problems of computer systems.”
Black Semiconductor: Converging photonics and electronics
Black Semiconductor is a deeptech company developing chip technology that integrates graphene to improve chip connectivity. This approach allows multiple chips to work together as a unified system.
Founded in 2020 by brothers Dr. Daniel Schall and Sebastian Schall, the company’s technology supports advancements in data centers, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and robotics.
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