Semiconductor technology, the backbone of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and quantum computing, is powering global digital transformation. In recent years, Jinan High-tech Zone has emerged as a rising hub for third-generation semiconductor materials, building a collaborative ecosystem of industry, academia, and research. From core materials and high-end equipment to chip design, Jinan has laid out a complete industrial chain — and its semiconductor industry is taking off.
Breaking Barriers with Core Equipment
In June 2024, Ion Semiconductor Technology (Jinan) Co., Ltd. successfully rolled out its first independently developed medium-beam silicon-based ion implanter — a breakthrough that strengthens Jinan’s integrated circuit supply chain. Ion implantation, second in complexity only to lithography, is critical in altering the electrical properties of semiconductor materials by embedding elements like boron, phosphorus, and arsenic into silicon wafers.
Founded in November 2023 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guangzhou Ion Semiconductor Technology, the Jinan branch has already attracted national attention. “The semiconductor equipment circle is small, but Jinan’s industrial environment and ecosystem convinced us to put down roots here,” said founder Zhong Xinhua.
With a total investment of 300 million yuan (approx. $41 million), the company plans to produce 30 units annually. Each implanter, composed of nearly 20,000 components, is priced at about 15 million yuan — roughly half the cost of imported models. Thanks to Shandong’s strong industrial base, over 50% of parts can be sourced locally, reducing supply chain risks. By year-end, the company will deliver four units, generating more than 50 million yuan in revenue. Its next milestone — the nation’s first domestically developed silicon carbide ion implanter — is expected in September 2024, aiming to compete with global leaders within three to five years.
Strengthening the Industry with Diversified Players
Another key player in Jinan is Gowin Semiconductor Corp., based in Qilu Software Park. Founded in 2014, Gowin specializes in domestically produced Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The company has successfully developed 55nm and 22nm process products, and in early 2021 became the first domestic manufacturer to achieve automotive-grade mass production. Its chips, certified under the stringent AEC-Q100 standard, are now used in communications, automotive electronics, industrial applications, and consumer electronics, with exports to the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.
“Passing the AEC-Q100 grade 2 test means our chips can reliably operate in temperatures ranging from -40℃ to +105℃,” explained software engineering director Du Jinfeng. The company holds more than 80 intellectual property applications, including 30 invention patents.
Qilu Software Park has been instrumental in supporting companies like Gowin by providing cutting-edge public platforms for design, packaging, and testing. Over the years, the park has attracted top design firms such as UnitedSemi, S2C, Empyrean Technology, and Gowin, positioning Jinan among the leading cities in domestic chip design.
Driving Innovation, Building Clusters
Jinan High-tech Zone has made integrated circuits a strategic priority. In 2024, Qilu Software Park was approved as part of three provincial-level industry clusters, including advanced computing and high-end software. Since its designation in 2008 as one of China’s eight national IC industrialization bases, the park has developed a “six-in-one” service ecosystem covering technology support, talent development, financing, innovation, incubation, and infrastructure.
In September 2024, the World Integrated Circuit Association (WICA) ranked Jinan 81st globally in semiconductor industry competitiveness. With more than 80 IC-related enterprises, the city is becoming a crucial player in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Bohai Rim semiconductor region, offering a complete chain from design and manufacturing to packaging, applications, and services.
A Thriving Innovation Hub
Established in 1991, Jinan High-tech Zone now covers 318 square kilometers, with a GDP surpassing 200 billion yuan in 2024 — making it one of Shandong’s top economic engines. Recognized as a national green industrial park in 2025, the zone continues to attract world-class talent, enterprises, and investment.
Qilu Software Park, founded in 1995, is one of China’s earliest and most influential software and semiconductor clusters, hosting nearly 50,000 registered enterprises today. From its roots in software development, it has expanded into integrated circuits, AI, big data, and fintech, earning numerous national-level honors as a hub for innovation and digital exports.
With breakthroughs in semiconductor equipment, robust FPGA development, and a thriving ecosystem of innovation, Jinan is positioning itself as a new frontier for China’s semiconductor industry — building a “chip highland” for the future.