Barely any activity at BelGaN since bankruptcy announcement

The company employs 440 staff and is looking for solutions to support its employees.

At semiconductor manufacturer BelGaN in Oudenaarde, employees have barely been at work since the announcement of its bankruptcy. Production at the company was already limited due to a combination of leave and temporary unemployment among staff. “Right now, very few people are working," said trade union ACV's Daisy Trenson. "Just the people who are needed towards security."

BelGaN is in a tough spot financially after it switched its production from traditional silicon chips to gallium nitride chips, which can be used in electric chargers, electric cars and data centres. It is a promising technology but the company was facing a lack of cash flow. BelGaN therefore filed for bankruptcy at the end of July. 

Late last week, three liquidators were appointed to analyse the company's failure and prepare for possible takeover talks. The 440 staff are already hoping for a restart, according to the trade unions. 

^{#FlandersNewsService | Illustration of semiconductor production © BELGA PHOTO JOHN THYS}