Competence hub: Östergötland – Linköping / Norrköping

Rooted in decades of world-class research at Linköping University, Östergötland’s semiconductor ecosystem transforms materials science into industrial innovation, connecting startups, global companies, and end users.

Published on December 1, 2025

Key innovation actors in Östergötland:

Linköping University (LiU): At the forefront of materials science and semiconductor research, with more than three decades of experience in SiC and GaN. Research groups in inorganic chemistry and materials physics collaborate closely with both Swedish and international industry.

Innovative Materials Arena (IMA): A cluster organization focusing on collaboration, communication, and innovation in innovative materials and production methods.

Linköping Science Park: A leading innovation ecosystem connecting over 600 technology companies with academia, supporting collaboration and growth in advanced materials, electronics, and digital technologies.

Norrköping Science Park: Through strong collaboration between academia, industry, and startups, the park drives regional growth and global impact in fields like Organic Electronics, Visualisation, and LogTech.

From research to real impact: Östergötland – Sweden’s wide bandgap hub

Östergötland is one of Sweden’s leading regional ecosystems in wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors. These materials are key to future critical technologies, enabling faster, more energy-efficient, and heat-resistant electronics for next-generation energy, defense, and communication systems. The region also links world-class research and industrial capability with major technology users such as Saab and Ericsson, showcasing how this regional strength contributes directly to Sweden’s national semiconductor strategy and aligns with Europe’s broader ambitions under the EU Chips Act.

Building on decades of research at Linköping University (LiU), the region has developed an industrial base of spinoffs and scaleups that now form part of the backbone of Sweden’s advanced semiconductor industry. Companies such as SweGaN, TekSiC, and Polar Light Technologies were born from LiU’s research environments. STMicroelectronics’ acquisition of Norstel (also a LiU spinoff) in 2019 further showcased the region’s strong industrial potential.

“What really stands out in Östergötland is how easy it is to connect, whether it’s with researchers, SMEs, end-users, or other start-ups. The openness here definitely accelerates innovation.” Oskar Fajerson, CEO Polar Light Technologies.

Beyond WBG semiconductors, the region also has strong activities in more conventional semiconductor technologies, where companies such as Svenska Grindmatriser and Ericsson are developing and designing ASICs in Si CMOS for a wide range of applications. Additional expertise and efforts are coming from both large companies like SAAB and numerous smaller firms.

Together, these actors demonstrate how advanced research has evolved into tangible industrial capacity, encompassing crystal growth and epitaxy, as well as device prototyping and testing. Proximity to major end users as well as a strong innovation cluster system ensures a strong link between innovation and application.

Key Initiative: Halvledare – en svensk värdekedja (Semiconductors – a Swedish value chain, 2025–2028)

One regional initiative showing this collaboration in action is the project ‘Halvledare – En Svensk Värdekedja’. It gathers excellent WBG actors to demonstrate a complete, homegrown value chain from crystal growth to circuitry fabrication.

Led by Innovative Materials Arena (IMA), the initiative also strengthens Sweden’s research and innovation capacity through investments in infrastructure for advanced material characterization and process development. It connects academia, industry, and regional innovation environments, including LiU, Chalmers, STMicroelectronics, SweGaN, TekSiC, Polar Light Technologies, and the regional science parks, while aligning with national competence centers such as SCCC and Semicon Sweden.

**Semiconductors – a Swedish Value chain presented at Elektronikmässan 2025:** A strong Swedish semiconductor ecosystem in action: academic partners, industry leaders, and regional innovation environments working together to advance next-generation WBG materials and processes. Through coordinated investments and shared infrastructure, the initiative strengthens national capabilities and positions Sweden for long-term technological and industrial competitiveness in Europe.

Future outlook and opportunities

Looking ahead, the region aims to scale up its WBG capabilities, deepen cooperation in device design and prototyping, and expand training programs to strengthen Sweden’s long-term skills pipeline.

With strong research environments, world-class companies, and a culture of collaboration, Östergötland is on its way to becoming a strategic European hub for next-generation semiconductors. As global demand for energy-efficient, high-performance electronics grows, the region’s combination of research excellence, industrial engagement, and application-driven innovation makes it a cornerstone in Sweden’s semiconductor future.

Östergötland’s semiconductor and chip design companies:

For updates or to highlight additional actors in this regional high-level overview, please contact us. We also encourage connecting with IMA, which supports the regional coordination.

Wide band gap producers

STMicroelectronics – The company’s SiC development facility focuses on next-generation substrate processes and pilot-line production, positioning Sweden within ST’s global technology network.
TekSiC – Developing advanced PVT systems for semi-insulating SiC crystal growth and scaling Swedish semi-insulating SiC substrate capability.
SweGaN – Producing GaN-on-SiC epitaxial materials for high-frequency applications in communication, radar, and defense.
Polar Light Technologies – Applying GaN-on-SiC materials in next-generation microLEDs for advanced display technology.

Si CMOS and conventional semiconductor design

Ericsson: Develops and designs advanced semiconductor and radio technologies as part of its global R&D in communication systems.
Svenska Grindmatriser: Designs and delivers analog and mixed-signal ASIC components for industrial applications.
INFICON: Develops high-performance sensors and control systems for vacuum and process environments used in semiconductor manufacturing.
Mandalon Technologies: Provides advanced micro-electronics packaging and assembly services in a wide range of semiconductor technologies, specializing from prototyping to small scale production, wire-bonding, and sensor and ASIC packaging.
Shortlink: Develops custom ASICs and system-on-chip solutions in Si CMOS for applications requiring ultra-low power consumption and high integration.
Prismatic Sensors: Develops ASICs for GE Healthcare.