Polar Collaborates with IC-Link by imec to Manufacture 8-inch GaN Technology. 10. 12. 2026 BLOOMINGTON, Minn., USA and Leuven, Belgium, October 12, 2026 - Polar Semiconductor, LLC ("Polar"), a U.S.-owned and operated foundry specializing in high-voltage, power, and sensor technologies, and IC-Link by imec, imec's design and manufacturing service, today announced they are collaborating to provide 8-inch production of enhancement-mode (e-mode) GaN devices to serve critical markets such as AI data centers, automotive, aerospace & defense, and the industrial grid. The new offering is enabled through a license transfer agreement with imec for its GaN-on-Si process, device, and epitaxy to Polar to manufacture e-mode GaN devices at Polar's world-class power and sensor foundry in Bloomington, Minnesota. The initial agreement focuses on voltage ranges from 40 to 650V with future expansion towards lower and higher voltages to enable manufacturing at Polar across the GaN power spectrum to serve key market trends such as 800V to 12V conversion in data centers Through IC-Link, imec's design and manufacturing division, customers can gain early access to the GaN technology, allowing them to accelerate development today and move seamlessly into full manufacturing services. The technology from imec and the service from IC-Link, coupled with the manufacturing excellence of Polar, will provide a unique prototyping-to-high-volume production service. Together, imec's technology, IC-Link's design-to-manufacturing services, and Polar's commercial reach and manufacturing excellence will provide an integrated offering to its shared customer base. Reza Kazerounian, Executive Chairman of Polar, said, "This partnership reinforces Polar's strategy and ongoing investments to establish a leading U.S.-based GaN Center of Excellence, delivering innovative power technologies that strengthen domestic supply chains for critical industries including defense, artificial intelligence, and automotive. Given imec's world-class expertise and leadership in semiconductor innovation, it is the ideal partner to accelerate Polar's GaN roadmap and technology ambitions." Thomas Piliszczuk, Chief R&D Programs & Portfolio Officer at imec, said, "Building on more than 15 years of GaN research and development, imec is excited to combine its GaN technology with IC-Link's design-to-manufacturing services and Polar's manufacturing capabilities. Together with partners across our international ecosystem, this will create a scalable GaN offering that helps customers accelerate high-efficiency, high-speed power solutions for growing markets including AI and data infrastructure, automotive, industrial systems, aerospace and other adjacent markets." About Polar Semiconductor. Polar Semiconductor is a leading foundry specializing in high-voltage, power, and sensor semiconductor manufacturing for automotive, industrial, aerospace and defense, data center, and consumer applications. Based in Bloomington, Minnesota, Polar provides advanced BCD, BiCMOS, MOSFET, IGBT, Optical MEMS, Wide-Bandgap (GaN), and sensor process technologies and associated foundry design enablement, transfer, and characterization services. With decades of experience and a strong focus on quality, reliability, and innovation, Polar supports some of the world's most demanding semiconductor customers. The company is currently expanding its capacity and capabilities to serve the growing demand for power electronics and next-generation technologies. About IC-Link by imec. IC-Link by imec provides customized solutions for innovative chip manufacturing, leveraging the expertise and ecosystem of imec, a world-leading research and innovation center for nanoelectronics and digital technologies. IC-Link enables the scalable and reliable manufacturing of semiconductors to go from idea to product. Technologies range from ASICs in CMOS, including the most advanced commercially available nodes, to imec-developed integrated photonics and advanced 2.5/3D packaging. Additional specialty services include custom wafer processing. The offering will continue to expand as new technologies are validated. To tailor to customer requirements and capabilities, IC-Link offers a range of services and business models. Media contact. Ken Obuszewski 1-952-250-3870

Mike Ritzenthaler appointed Chief Financial Officer of Imagine. MINNEAPOLIS, June 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Imagine, a trusted partner to the world's most successful brands, today announced that Mike Ritzenthaler has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. He will report to CEO Don McKenzie and be based at Imagine's Minneapolis headquarters. Mike brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience, with a strong track record of driving profitable growth, capital strategy, and financial transformation across complex, high-growth organizations. "Mike is a proven financial leader who brings strong strategic insight and disciplined financial management," said Don McKenzie. "His experience in capital planning, financial infrastructure, and scaling finance organizations will be critical as we continue to invest in growth and strengthen our financial foundation." Most recently, Mike served as CFO of Polar Semiconductor, where he helped secure $525 million in private and public investment to expand the business, while implementing enterprise-wide financial disciplines to support long-term growth and value creation. Prior to that, he held senior finance leadership roles at Ecolab, where he led global financial planning and analysis, business intelligence, and enterprise reporting supporting more than $13 billion in revenue, and played a key role in acquisitions, integration, and financial performance improvement initiatives. Earlier in his career, Mike held roles in investment research and portfolio management, bringing deep expertise in financial modeling, capital markets, and investment strategy. As Chief Financial Officer, Mike will lead Imagine's financial strategy and performance, including financial planning and analysis, capital allocation, treasury, accounting, tax, and risk management. He will focus on strengthening financial discipline, enhancing reporting and visibility, and supporting data-driven decision-making to enable scalable, profitable growth. "Imagine has built a strong platform with significant growth potential," said Mike. "I'm excited to join the team and help drive financial performance, investment strategy, and long-term value creation." About Imagine A trusted partner to the world's most successful brands, Imagine designs, produces, and delivers beautifully crafted print and digital solutions that inspire action and get results. From concept to consumer, our end-to-end solutions include agency-level creative, pre-media, commercial print, store signage, specialty packaging, permanent fixtures, retail environments, out-of-home, fulfillment, and kitting. Imagine combines the customer technology of Dotti with Imagine Studio's award-winning design expertise, powered by top-tier production capabilities. Learn more at theimaginegroup.com or moagency.com. Media Contact Carrie Hoffert [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Polar Semiconductor collaborates with the University of Minnesota to launch first-of-its-kind Spin Technology Center. 05. 20. 2026 The University of Minnesota Twin Cities, in collaboration with Polar Semiconductor and Honeywell Aerospace, is establishing a first-of-its-kind academic-industry Spin Technology Center to advance the state's growing microelectronics and semiconductor industry. The $5.7 million project has been awarded $2.83 million from the Minnesota Forward Fund administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, with an additional $2.8 million in matching funding from industry partners Polar Semiconductor and Honeywell Aerospace. The new center will develop quantum spintronic devices focusing on high-tech magnetic sensors and advanced memory storage. These emerging magnetic-based technologies fundamentally improve how Polar Semiconductor Inc detect changes in the world around Polar Semiconductor Inc and how intelligent systems store and compute information. These devices are being adapted for cutting-edge applications, including biomedical devices, industrial automation, automotive applications, and specialized technologies designed for extreme environments like space. "This is a forward-looking collaboration that will benefit Minnesota and its microelectronics industry, while also driving broader adoption of emerging spintronic technologies," said Jian-Ping Wang, Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Robert F. Hartmann Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and lead researcher for the collaborative project. "Industry urgently needs new technologies, tools, and talent that can reduce energy use while advancing sensing, memory, and computing capabilities. With strong support from our partners and the State, we have a real opportunity to establish Minnesota as the center for spintronic technologies." Over the next decade, the center will provide specialized coursework and hands-on research opportunities for more than 300 people, including students at all levels from the University's electrical and computer engineering, materials science, and physics programs, along with local community colleges and other universities. It will also provide training in the use and manufacture of spintronic devices for Polar Semiconductor, Honeywell Aerospace, and other Minnesota microelectronics companies. The team will first work on quantum spintronic devices with the goal of developing the world's most advanced magnetic tunnel junctions - tiny, high-tech components that serve as the "engines" of next-generation electronics. By harnessing the "spin" of electrons rather than just their electrical charge, the researchers aim to create microchips and sensors that are faster, more powerful, and significantly more energy efficient than current versions. By integrating these components into modern manufacturing, researchers are enabling breakthroughs in AI, ultra-fast computer memory, and high-precision sensors. These advancements will lead to more reliable self-driving cars, smarter industrial robots, more sensitive medical diagnostic tools, and devices that can operate in even the harshest environments. "This collaboration with the University of Minnesota marks a pivotal step in bridging the gap between theoretical physics and next-generation aerospace applications," said Lisa Napolitano, Vice President and General Manager, Space, at Honeywell Aerospace. "By harnessing the power of spintronics, we aren't just looking to improve data storage; we are reimagining the fundamental efficiency and capabilities of the systems that power flight and space exploration." Building on the University of Minnesota's existing strengths in researching and developing advanced electronic components and devices - particularly quantum spintronic technologies - the center also will help attract top talent to the University and Minnesota-based technology companies. "Our partnership with the University of Minnesota represents a bold investment in the domestic semiconductor ecosystem and the future of power-efficient computing. As we push the boundaries of what's possible at the molecular level, spintronics offers a transformative path toward chips that consume less energy while delivering superior performance," said Ken Obuszewski, Vice President of Marketing at Polar Semiconductor. "By combining Polar Semiconductor's manufacturing expertise with the University's pioneering research, we are ensuring that Minnesota remains at the absolute forefront of the next revolution in microelectronics." Aligned with the University's Elevate Extraordinary 2030 vision, the center will advance innovation through a focus on emerging technologies and more sustainable AI hardware, strengthen industry partnerships, and expand workforce development. These efforts will help ensure students graduate with the expertise needed to compete in the global semiconductor industry and support Minnesota's growing reputation in microelectronics.