Globally ranked 16th by Gartner in the pure-play foundries category, SilTerra clearly punches above its weight. Originally set up in 1995 as a semiconductor manufacturer in line with then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s Second Industrial Master Plan, the company has since expanded into advanced microelectronics.
By focusing on emerging technologies such as silicon photonics, MEMS and advanced power, SilTerra has helped its customers to develop innovative products like bio-sensors, DNA sequencing chips, micro-mirror displays, high efficiency power devices and ultra-low power chips for the IOT, and wearables. Supporting efforts in the life sciences, healthcare and automotive markets, SilTerra also manages to meet green technology standards in the transportation, data-center and communications industries.
SilTerra’s emergence as a top company in its industry is the result of years of developing local skills and nurturing strategic partnerships with universities and organizations such as imec, the Belgium-based leading research institute in nanoelectronics.
SilTerra’s customers include innovative start-ups and global tech giants LG, Sony and Qualcomm that provide chips to brand names like Amazon and Google. One California-based start-up was acquired for $1.2 billion after enlisting SilTerra to launch its DNA Sequencing Chip.
“Through SilTerra’s own transformation, we have been able to collaborate with emerging companies around the world to develop their dreams into innovative new products. SilTerra is now looking forward to stepping up its role in Malaysia and playing our part in developing a vibrant high-tech ecosystem for the nation,” CEO Firdaus Abdullah said.