Lumentum Boosts Thailand's Chip Industry with $70M Research Center
US semiconductor giant Lumentum is boosting its presence in Thailand with a significant investment. The company is establishing the country's first full-scale chip news and design centre, along with expanding production capacity for advanced photonics chips.
Lumentum's new facility, connected to its global innovation network, will house prototype production lines, reliability testing labs, and advanced software development. This expansion, worth over 2.3 billion baht, is set to create jobs for Thai engineers and high-skilled personnel.
The new centre will focus on ultra-high-power chip-on-carrier light-emitting chips, crucial for high-precision applications like AI processors, laser-based medical devices, and intelligent vehicles. This move aligns with Thailand's ambition to shift from traditional electronics manufacturing to high-value, next-generation chip news.
Lumentum, which currently employs over 6,000 workers in Thailand, including 700 engineers and scientists, exported products worth over 14 billion baht in 2024. The company aims to collaborate with local universities and research institutes to develop specialised photonics chip curricula and nurture talent for the future semiconductor industry.
With the global photonics chip market projected to double within five years, reaching around US$13 billion, Lumentum's expansion in Thailand positions the country at the forefront of this growth. The new research and design centre will not only drive innovation but also contribute to Thailand's economic growth and technological advancement.
