CLOSER: Consortium Visits Freiberger Compound Materials to Advance Circular Semiconductor Innovation
April 23, 2026
June 2025, The CLOSER Consortium met at the Freiberger Compound Materials GmbH premises. It was a productive meeting following a visit to their factory.
An incredible European example of excellence the roots of which date back to since 1954. Receiving awards for sustainability and efficient resource use long before the “circular economy” was even a thing!
We learned about their crystal growth processes , their Gallium Arsenide market share, and the fact that their GaAs wafers are used in about 60% to 70% of global smartphones (Yes, probably yours too!).
We also got to learn about their most recent indium phosphate wafer, in high demand for, among others, the communication fundamental to powering the AI revolution.
Finally, the consortium was invited to analyze some samples of waste (byproducts) from the different stages of the wafer production process, and the innovative recyclers in our consortium are working hard to valorize and re-insert these critical materials into made-in-EU products.