Patents granted for Nanocolumn Technology

IQE plc

("IQE" or the "Group")



IQE plc (AIM: IQE), the leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor
epitaxial wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry, is
pleased to announce that NanoGaN Limited ("NanoGaN"), a wholly owned subsidiary
of IQE, has been granted two separate patents in relation to its nanocolumn
technology for the production of advanced blue and green lasers and LEDs.

Patent 2008-549935 has been granted by the Japan Patent Office to NanoGaN and
protects the Group's proprietary nanocolumn technology for producing high
quality, free-standing gallium nitride substrates, which are critical for
manufacturing high quality blue and green semiconductor lasers and ultra high
brightness LEDs for Solid State Lighting ("SSL").

A second patent, No.2446471, has been granted by the UK patent office to protect
the process for manufacturing semiconductor devices such as laser diodes, LEDs
and solar cells, directly onto the proprietary nanocolumn platform.

The production of advanced blue and green semiconductor lasers and ultra high
brightness LEDs requires stable, high quality substrates with minimal defects to
increase yield and therefore reduce manufacturing costs.

IQE acquired NanoGaN in October 2009 with the aim of assisting in completing the
development of commercial products and thereafter transferring the technology to
its high volume production facilities.

IQE's acquisition of NanoGaN complemented and enhanced IQE's product portfolio
by accelerating the Group's strategic plans to develop a leadership position in
the emerging high growth markets for advanced laser projection, high definition
optical storage (including Blue Ray products), high resolution laser printing
and SSL for industrial, commercial and residential lighting. It is envisaged
that NanoGaN's core technology may also be used to further enhance IQE's leading
position in the supply of GaN products for high power RF applications.

Dr. Drew Nelson, Group CEO and President said:

"Continuous innovation is one of IQE's key attributes that enables the Group to
offer its customers the broadest portfolio of leading edge semiconductor
technologies available.

"Adding these new patents to our existing portfolio, combined with strong
internal practices to protect intellectual property and know how, play a vital
role in ensuring IQE's position as a global leader in the manufacture and supply
of advanced semiconductor wafer products for the wireless, optoelectronic and
solar industry sectors."






Contacts:


IQE plc ([phone])
Drew Nelson
Chris Meadows

Execution Noble & Company Limited ([phone])
John Llewellyn-Lloyd
James Bromhead

College Hill ([phone])
Adrian Duffield
Carl Franklin


[HUG#1435630]








This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of 
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: 
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and 
    other applicable laws; and 
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and 
     originality of the information contained therein. 
All reproduction for further distribution is prohibited.
    
Source: IQE plc via Thomson Reuters ONE