Taiwan Endorses Purdue Research Park for Compound Semiconductor Investment

On June 17, Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Chin-Tsang met with a Purdue University delegation and named Purdue Research Park as a U.S. anchor for Taiwanese companies investing in silicon carbide (SiC), high-voltage power devices, and AI applications. The commercial groundwork was already in place: GeChi Compound Semiconductor signed an MOU with Purdue on May 27 at Hovde Hall. The June 17 ministerial meeting was a diplomatic ratification of a deal already done, not a starting point.

The operative detail for Indiana suppliers is market timing. SiC wafers currently run above $1,000 each. The North American SiC market is projected to grow from $530 million in 2025 to $1.47 billion by 2030. Purdue Research Park already houses SK hynix, MediaTek, Rolls-Royce, and imec, a pre-assembled industrial customer network for any incoming semiconductor operation. Qualification cycles for compound semiconductor suppliers typically run 18 to 36 months from a confirmed facility decision. If you're in precision machining, specialty chemicals, or facilities services in Indiana, the diligence work on whether your capabilities could serve a compound semiconductor operation starts now, not after GeChi announces a building.