MA-tek, a provider of semiconductor material and failure analysis services, has reported an optimistic forecast, predicting a 50 percent increase in revenue this year from its silicon photonic-related analysis services. This growth is attributed to a significant technological shift towards optics-based packaging solutions for artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.
The company identified optical communications and AI chip analysis services as primary drivers for this year’s expansion. Their confidence stems from a robust increase in silicon photonic-related analysis revenue, which has more than doubled annually over the past three years.
Chairwoman Hsieh Yong-fen reported that last year, revenue from silicon photonic-related analysis exceeded NT$200 million (approximately US$6.26 million), contributing substantially to MA-tek’s overall financial performance. Looking ahead, Hsieh indicated that this upward trend is expected to continue at an annual rate of 50 percent, potentially resulting in revenue from silicon photonics analysis more than doubling from last year’s figures by 2028.
MA-tek has also noted a surge in demand for material analysis of epitaxial wafers, which serve as foundational substrates for laser chips used in silicon photonics solutions. However, the company has observed a lower demand for failure and reliability analysis concerning silicon photonics modules and systems. This trend suggests that silicon photonics technology remains in the research-and-development phase and is unlikely to replace copper cables for data transmission in AI servers by 2028, contrary to some industry predictions.
Overall, MA-tek anticipates a year of strong growth, with revenue expected to increase by double digits from NT$554 million last year. Data indicates that the company has already achieved an 11.55 percent growth in revenue during the first two months of this year, totalling NT$886 million. MA-tek’s clientele includes leading foundry service providers, semiconductor equipment manufacturers, and material suppliers.
Geographically, both Japan and the United States are projected to be the leading contributors to revenue this year. In Japan, government support for the development of 1.4-nanometer technology is expected to bolster revenue, with MA-tek providing chip material analysis services and exclusive failure analysis services later this year. The anticipated revenue contribution from Japan is expected to rise to 20 percent this year, compared to 15 percent last year.
MA-tek operates three laboratories in Japan, located in Hokkaido, Kumamoto, and Nagoya. The company has also noted rapid growth in the US market, with recent orders for analysis services related to chips used in data centres and autonomous vehicles. The aim is to increase the US revenue contribution to over 10 percent this year, up from 8 percent last year.
In response to client requests, MA-tek is currently evaluating the feasibility of establishing laboratories in the United States, despite previous hesitations due to high operational costs associated with construction and labour compared to Taiwan.
It is noteworthy that the company experienced a 40.84 percent decrease in net profits year-on-year, dropping to NT$407 million last year from NT$688 million in 2024. Earnings per share also saw a decline, decreasing to NT$6.10 from NT$10.39.