Applied Materials and GlobalFoundries to Build Waveguide Fab in Singapore for AR Glasses

Applied Materials and GlobalFoundries have announced their strategic partnership to advance photonics manufacturing. As part of the deal, a waveguide fabrication facility will be built at GF’s Singapore site, focusing on high-volume production of optical components for augmented reality (AR) glasses.

The fab will be located in Singapore to tap into the nation’s established semiconductor and photonics ecosystem, which includes component suppliers, assembly, and testing infrastructure. Singapore’s skilled workforce and strong support for advanced manufacturing further strengthen its position as a hub for scaling next-generation technologies.

Building the Backbone of AR Devices

Waveguides are responsible for directing and shaping light to deliver high-quality images in lightweight, wearable devices. Yet, producing them at scale with the required efficiency and durability has remained one of the biggest bottlenecks for the AR industry.

Applied Materials will contribute its expertise in materials engineering, deposition, etch, and metrology, while GlobalFoundries will leverage its high-volume manufacturing capabilities. Together, they aim to move waveguide production from lab-scale prototypes to reliable, cost-effective mass manufacturing.

While the immediate focus is on AR glasses, waveguide technology has wider applications, including AI interfaces, advanced sensors, automotive LiDAR, and medical devices. By localizing waveguide production in Singapore, Applied and GF are also strengthening the supply chain resilience of critical optical components.

Yew Kong Tan, senior vice president at GlobalFoundries, said the partnership aims to “unlock innovative technology solutions that accelerate and scale the adoption of next-generation devices.”

If successful, the partnership could shorten the timeline for consumer-ready AR glasses, bringing mainstream adoption closer than ever.