Aeluma Executes Strategic Agreement with Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies for Wafer Production for AI Datacom

Aeluma partners with SCAT to use existing MOCVD capacity and alternative substrates to address InP wafer constraints in AI datacom photonics.

Rhea-AI Summary

Aeluma (ALMU) has executed a strategic agreement with Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies (SCAT) to accelerate development and production of photonics wafers for the AI datacom market.

The collaboration will initially use SCAT’s existing metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) capabilities at its Phoenix, Arizona facility and includes a path to increase capacity over time. Aeluma’s large-diameter non-indium-phosphide (non-InP) photonics platform uses more readily available substrates such as 150mm gallium arsenide and 200–300mm silicon, aiming to address shortages and high costs of InP substrates. The company also works with large-volume GaAs and Si foundries to complement its in-house MOCVD and reduce dependence on new fab buildouts and qualification timelines. Both companies describe the agreement as supporting accelerated development, qualification, and potential future expansion.

Positive

• Agreement adds SCAT’s existing MOCVD capacity in Phoenix to support Aeluma’s wafer development
• Use of 150mm GaAs and 200–300mm Si substrates addresses InP cost and supply constraints
• Partnership framework includes a path for future capacity increases and potential expansion
• Use of established GaAs and Si foundries reduces dependence on new fab buildouts and qualifications

Negative

• None.

Argus 15 min delay

+6.06% vs previous close $13.30 last price 8.5x rel. volume Open Argus

Details

Market Reaction – ALMU

$13.19 $13.80 Day Range

$243.46M Market Cap

Following this news, ALMU has gained 6.06%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 5 alerts so far, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $13.30. Trading volume is exceptionally heavy at 8.5x the average, suggesting very strong buying interest.

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Market Context

On Jul 29, Aeluma disclosed a proposed $30 million CHIPS funding agreement for the same non-InP phot...

Analysis

On Jul 29, Aeluma disclosed a proposed $30 million CHIPS funding agreement for the same non-InP photonics platform, providing relevant prior evidence of its AI and advanced-computing manufacturing program.

Key Figures

GaAs substrate diameter: 150mm Silicon substrate diameter: 200 to 300mm

GaAs substrate diameter

150mm

Non-InP photonics platform

Silicon substrate diameter

200 to 300mm

Non-InP photonics platform

Historical Context

1 past event · Latest: Jul 29

1 event

1. Jul 29

   CHIPS funding LOI

   24h Move

   +6.1%

   Proposed up to $30 million for non-InP photonics R&D and manufacturing readiness

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, heterogeneous integration, epitaxial wafers

3 terms

metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technical

"existing metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) capabilities at SCAT’s Phoenix"

A production method that deposits ultra-thin crystalline layers of semiconductor materials from heated vapors of metal-organic chemicals, building devices atom-by-atom much like spray-painting microscopic layers onto a surface. It matters to investors because this technology is essential for making high-performance LEDs, lasers, and advanced chips; control over MOCVD capacity, equipment, and yield directly affects a maker’s cost structure, production scale and competitive edge.

heterogeneous integration technical

"Aeluma’s heterogeneous integration approaches leverage non-InP substrates"

Heterogeneous integration is the practice of combining different types of electronic components — such as processors, memory, sensors and specialized chips — into a single package or tightly linked module, rather than building everything on one uniform chip. Like putting varied ingredients into one compact lunchbox to save space and improve function, it matters to investors because it can boost product performance, lower power use, shorten development time and create competitive or cost advantages that affect revenue and margins.

epitaxial wafers technical

"SCAT produces epitaxial wafers at its facility in Phoenix, Arizona"

Epitaxial wafers are semiconductor discs where a very thin, single-crystal layer has been deliberately grown on a base substrate to create the precise electrical properties needed for modern chips, LEDs and power devices. Investors care because the quality and availability of these wafers directly affect manufacturing yield, product performance, production costs and supply-chain risk—think of them as the carefully prepared foundation that determines whether a building (or chip) is reliable and profitable.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Partnership to Support Development and Qualification Efforts for Photonics Products

GOLETA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aeluma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALMU), a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance, scalable technologies for AI, mobile and consumer, defense and aerospace, and quantum, announced today it has executed an agreement with Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies (SCAT) to accelerate development and production of photonics wafers for the AI datacom market. The agreement will initially leverage existing metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) capabilities at SCAT’s Phoenix, Arizona manufacturing facility, and provides a path for increasing capacity in the future.

Aeluma’s large-diameter non-indium-phosphide (non-InP) photonics platform combines best-in-class materials with mass-market microelectronics manufacturing. With InP substrates in short supply, and geopolitics adding risk and uncertainty, alternative approaches are being considered to meet the demand for high-performance photonics components such as photodetectors and lasers. Traditional InP manufacturing is carried out on 100mm substrates and smaller. While 150mm InP lines are being established, new fabs require time and resources to qualify, and InP substrates are expensive and in short supply.

Aeluma’s heterogeneous integration approaches leverage non-InP substrates such as 150mm gallium arsenide (GaAs) and 200 to 300mm silicon (Si) that are more readily available. In addition to the partnership with SCAT, Aeluma complements its in-house MOCVD capabilities by working with established large-volume GaAs and Si foundries for component fabrication, eliminating dependence on new fab buildouts and associated qualification timelines.

SCAT, a solely owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, produces epitaxial wafers at its facility in Phoenix, Arizona for the optical communications, smartphone, wireless, and automotive industries.

“SCAT is an ideal partner to pair with Aeluma’s in-house MOCVD that is capable of producing wafers of any size, including large-diameter 150, 200, and 300mm substrates,” said Jonathan Klamkin, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Aeluma. “We have been working with SCAT for several years. This new agreement aims to strengthen our relationship and set the stage for accelerated development, qualification, production, and future potential expansion.”

“We look forward to continued partnership with Aeluma,” added Dr. Ken Campman, President & Executive Officer from SCAT. “The demand for epitaxial wafers for photodetectors and lasers has grown significantly, but InP substrate supply is limiting development and production efforts. Aeluma’s technology is a promising solution for the datacom market and may impact other markets as well.”

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to the Company's expectations regarding its market position and market opportunity, expectations and plans as to its product development, manufacturing and sales, and relations with its partners and investors. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company's control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

About Aeluma

Aeluma (NASDAQ: ALMU) is a transformative semiconductor company specializing in high-performance photonic and electronic technologies that scale. The company’s proprietary platform combines compound semiconductors with scalable manufacturing used for mass market microelectronics to enable volume production and large-scale integration. Applications for Aeluma’s technology include mobile, AI, defense and aerospace, robotics, automotive, AR/VR, and quantum. Headquartered in Goleta, California, Aeluma operates state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing capabilities for semiconductor wafer production, quick-turn chip fabrication, rapid prototyping, test and validation. Aeluma also partners with production-scale fabrication foundries, packaging, and integration companies. For more information, visit www.aeluma.com.

Company:
Aeluma, Inc.
(805) 351-2707
info@aeluma.com

Investor Contact:
Financial Profiles, Inc.
Moira Conlon and Donni Case
(310) 622-8224
ir@aeluma.com

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What production capabilities does SCAT contribute under the agreement with Aeluma?

SCAT contributes its existing MOCVD manufacturing capabilities at its Phoenix, Arizona facility. These capabilities will be used initially for epitaxial wafer production for Aeluma’s photonics products, with the agreement providing a path for future capacity increases.

How does Aeluma aim to reduce reliance on indium phosphide (InP) substrates?

Aeluma’s photonics platform uses non-InP substrates, including 150mm gallium arsenide and 200–300mm silicon, which are described as more readily available than InP. The company also works with established large-volume GaAs and Si foundries, in addition to its in-house MOCVD, to avoid dependence on new InP fab buildouts and associated qualification timelines.