GF & Renesas: The Tech Deal that Secures Chip Supplies

The foundation of much of modern innovation lies in the advanced semiconductors that power everything from autonomous driving to industrial automation.

GlobalFoundries and Renesas Electronics Corporation have announced an expanded strategic collaboration to push the boundaries of what these chips can achieve.

Through a multi-billion-dollar manufacturing partnership, Renesas will gain access to the differentiated technology platforms of GlobalFoundries. These platforms are designed to support the complex requirements of software-defined vehicles and the growing compute needs of artificial intelligence applications.

The first work under this new agreement is expected to begin in mid-2026, marking a new phase in the development of high-performance, secure and energy-efficient semiconductor solutions.

Differentiated platforms for next generation systems

Renesas will use several feature-rich technologies from the GlobalFoundries portfolio, including FD-SOI and BCD. These platforms are suited for system-on-chip designs and microcontrollers that require non-volatile memory features.

Such technologies are crucial for enabling secure connectivity in industrial IoT and managing advanced driver assistance systems. Manufacturing will start in the US and expand globally to Germany and Singapore.

The companies are considering porting these advanced processes to the internal fabrication facilities of Renesas in Japan. This technical flexibility ensures that the partners can deliver the high-quality, reliable semiconductors needed for the extreme conditions of automotive and industrial environments where performance is non-negotiable.

Innovating for a connected sustainable future

GlobalFoundries is a leader in manufacturing essential semiconductors for the automotive, IoT and mobile device sectors, focusing on power efficiency and high performance.

Renesas Electronics Corporation provides complete semiconductor solutions, specialising in embedded processing, microcontrollers and connectivity. By combining expertise in analog and power, Renesas enables the creation of connected, intelligent devices that improve daily life.

GlobalFoundries is currently a manufacturer for the top three automotive microcontroller makers worldwide.

Addressing the requirements of advanced computing

The partnership is positioned to address the accelerating demand for electrification and AI-driven compute power. By accessing a broader range of technologies, Renesas can ensure its products meet the highest standards for reliability and performance.

The integration of non-volatile memory and differentiated CMOS features allows for the development of more sophisticated power devices. These technical capabilities are essential for the hardware that supports autonomous features and real-time data processing in industrial settings

As the industry moves toward more centralised architectures, the ability to produce these feature-rich chips at scale becomes a significant competitive advantage.

Delivering technologies for tomorrow's vehicles

“This partnership strengthens a proven relationship and underscores GF’s role as a trusted partner for essential semiconductor technologies,” said Tim Breen, CEO of GlobalFoundries.

“The automotive landscape is changing fast. Semiconductors are now the foundation of innovation, powering advanced driver assistance, battery management and secure connectivity. These systems demand performance and efficiency under extreme conditions, and GF’s differentiated platforms are built for that.

"We’re focused on delivering what matters most: reliable supply and the technologies that enable the vehicles of tomorrow."

Stable long-term supply for AI

“Access to a broader range of GF technologies gives us the flexibility and supply assurance our customers need,” said Hidetoshi Shibata, CEO of Renesas.

“This expanded partnership enables a stable, long-term supply of semiconductors while ensuring the highest quality and reliability for our products. These capabilities are essential as we deliver advanced solutions, with demand for electrification and connectivity —–and the rapidly growing compute requirements driven by AI applications – accelerating worldwide."