PREMA Semiconductor

What PREMA Semiconductor does

PREMA Semiconductor GmbH is a privately held German analog and mixed-signal integrated circuit manufacturer headquartered in Mainz, founded in 1970 as Präzisions-Elektronik and rebranded to its present name in 2000. The company's core offering is custom Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) designed and produced exclusively for individual customers, complemented by a catalogue of Application Specific Standard Products (ASSPs) including opto-ASICs, LED drivers, high-voltage operational amplifiers, linear regulators, audio ICs, and photodiode arrays. Service revenues come from wafer-level integration of MEMS with semiconductor processes and from high-energy ion implantation services up to 6 MeV.

The business is built on PREMA's proprietary ModuS U6 bipolar and BiCMOS process, introduced in 1999, which is fabricated in-house on 150mm and 200mm wafers in an 8000 m² production facility using the SEMIC® modular cleanroom concept. The process supports supply voltages from 1V to 80V, breakdown voltages up to 135V, and current handling from the picoamp range to 1A. This vertically integrated stack spans circuit design, photomask and wafer production, and final IC test, with the company employing between 11 and 50 staff.

Revenue is generated through three streams: custom ASIC programs ranging from prototype runs to series production in the millions; standard ASSP hardware sales distributed through a global network of authorized channel partners across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific; and fee-for-service ion implantation and wafer-level integration work. Pricing is quote-based (EXW Mainz, 30-day terms), with direct sales-led engineering engagement used for ASIC feasibility and development, and standard products reaching smaller buyers through distributors. End markets served include industrial electronics, automotive, consumer goods, sensor technology, and selected medical and audio equipment applications.

Name

PREMA Semiconductor

Legal name

PREMA Semiconductor GmbH

Website

https://prema.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PREMA Semiconductor GmbH is a privately held German analog and mixed-signal IC manufacturer in Mainz that designs and fabricates custom ASICs plus standard ASSPs (opto-ASICs, LED drivers, op-amps, audio ICs) on its proprietary ModuS U6 bipolar/BiCMOS process, serving industrial, automotive, sensor, and audio customers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Analog and mixed-signal semiconductor ICs

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)

akta.pro primary industry

Analog & Mixed-Signal ICs (HDAHAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amplifiers & Comparators (HDAHAIAC), Audio & Voice Mixed-Signal ICs (Codecs/Amplifiers) (HDAHAIAG), Custom/ASIC & Foundry-Adjacent IDM Services (HDAHAAAL), Mixed-Signal ASICs & ASSPs (Custom/Platform Mixed-Signal) (HDAHAIAF)

Keywords

• Analog mixed-signal ICs
• Custom ASIC design
• Bipolar BiCMOS process
• Wafer fabrication services
• LED driver semiconductors

Headquarters

HQ city

Mainz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom ASIC Manufacturing: Design and production of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) exclusively for one customer. Production volumes range from prototypes to series in the millions.
2. Standard ICs (ASSPs): Standard ICs offered in selected fields of application including LED drivers, operational amplifiers, linear regulators, audio ICs, and photodiodes.
3. Implanter Services: Ion implantation service for external wafers using PREMA's proprietary high-energy implantation capabilities up to 6 MeV.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

PREMA Semiconductor designs and manufactures analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits using a proprietary bipolar and BiCMOS process (ModuS U6) at its in-house wafer fab in Mainz, Germany. The company primarily produces custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) exclusively for individual customers, and complements that with a catalog of standard application-specific standard products (ASSPs) including LED drivers, photodiodes, opto-ASICs, high-voltage operational amplifiers, linear regulators, and audio ICs. It also offers wafer-level integration services combining MEMS with semiconductor processes and external high-energy ion implantation services up to 6 MeV.

Product overview

PREMA Semiconductor is a German semiconductor manufacturer offering custom ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and standard ASSPs (Application Specific Standard Products). The company provides a vertically integrated service from circuit design through wafer production to IC testing, all under one roof in Mainz, Germany. The product portfolio centers on analog and mixed-signal ICs with supply voltages from 1V to 80V, using the proprietary ModuS U6 bipolar and BiCMOS process. ASSP offerings include Opto-ASICs (photodiodes with integrated circuits), LED drivers (boost and buck converters), high-voltage operational amplifiers, linear regulators, audio ICs (TruePhantom phantom power supplies and sound enhancement chips), and various photodiode arrays. The company also offers wafer-level integration services combining MEMS with semiconductor processes and ion implantation services up to 6 MeV.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PREMA®: Registered trademark of PREMA Semiconductor GmbH

Products and services

• Custom ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) Custom integrated circuits designed exclusively for individual customers using analog and mixed-signal capabilities with supply voltages from 1V to 80V. Production volumes range from prototypes to series in the millions, with minimum lot size of one batch (25 wafers) per calendar year.
• LED Drivers (Buck Converters) Step-down/buck converter ICs for regulating LED current including PR4101 (efficiency over 90%, 100mA to several amps, input up to 40VDC), PR4102 (LEDs without external MOSFET below 45mA), and PR4103 (compact SOT23-5 package, LED currents over 1A, input up to 20VDC).
• LED Drivers (Boost Converters for Battery Lamps) Boost LED drivers for battery operation up to 1.9V including PR4401/PR4402 (adjustable LED currents from 6.5mA to 40mA) and PR4404 (flexible boost driver up to 5.0V supply, up to 150mA from single AA/AAA cell or over 300mA from two cells).
• PR4403 Solar Lamp LED Driver Solar lamp LED driver with automatic ON/OFF control via dedicated pin, preventing deep discharge of rechargeable batteries.
• High-Voltage Operational Amplifiers Precision operational amplifiers with supply voltages up to 80V (±40V) including PR2201 (precision op-amp) and PR2202 (dual op-amp) for automotive and signal amplification applications.
• Linear Regulators Voltage regulators including PR2101 providing constant 5V output from input voltages up to 80V with low quiescent current below 50µA.
• Audio ICs Audio ICs including TruePhantom PR2301 high-impedance phantom power supply for condenser microphones (reduces total harmonic distortion by 3.6-14 dB) and MZ-01 sound enhancement chip for speaker systems. TruePhantom is a registered trademark of Phantom Sound B.V.
• Photodiodes Silicon photodiodes and arrays including dual photodiodes (PR5001, PR5010), triple photodiodes (PR5020/21), triangular photodiodes (PR5030), and single photodiodes (PR5040) with various spectral sensitivities. PR5001-IR version detects near-infrared radiation from 700 to 1100nm.
• Opto-ASIC Rotary Encoders Rotary and linear encoder ICs including PR5201 (aperture for flexible resolution adaptation with LED current regulation and -40°C to 125°C operation) and PR5301 (compact sensor IC for incremental linear and rotary encoders with A and B channels, available in 50, 150, and 300 lpi resolutions).
• PR5401 Four-Quadrant Photodiode Sensor Four-quadrant photodiode sensor with two opposing photodiode pairs and differential amplification for light beam alignment and 2D optical tracking.
• PR5510 Differential Centre Detector Differential center detector for optical position sensing of light spots, featuring counterposed triangular photodiodes with transimpedance amplifier.
• Wafer-Level Integration Service Service to integrate customer MEMS and other sensors with PREMA's semiconductor wafers, enabling monolithic optoelectronic systems and 3D packaging solutions.
• Implanter Services up to 6 MeV Ion implantation service for external wafers using proprietary high-energy implantation capabilities up to 6 MeV, enabling doping depths of several micrometers. Supports phosphorus, boron, or other elements on 4, 5, 6, or 8 inch wafers, optionally structured in combination with lithography process.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 40 components on circuit boards can be saved with a single ASIC
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Dedekind R&D (Japan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partnership for audio enhancement. The MZ-01 sound enhancement chip works together with the Speaten Filter® from Dedekind R&D to enable small speakers to perform like larger speaker systems.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Texas Instruments: Largest analog IC manufacturer globally offering custom ASICs and broad ASSP catalogs. Comparable as the dominant incumbent analog/mixed-signal player that PREMA serves alongside or substitutes into niche designs.
• Analog Devices: Premier analog/mixed-signal IC vendor with strong automotive/industrial focus and proprietary process technology. Directly comparable as a high-performance analog specialist PREMA competes with for premium analog sockets.
• Infineon Technologies: European-headquartered semiconductor leader with broad power and analog IC businesses. Comparable as a fellow German/European IDM focused on automotive and industrial high-voltage analog and mixed-signal solutions.
• onsemi (ON Semiconductor): Analog and mixed-signal IDM with strong automotive and industrial end-market exposure. Comparable as an established analog IDM with proprietary processes that PREMA positions against for automotive/industrial ASIC sockets.
• STMicroelectronics: European IDM with broad analog/mixed-signal and power semiconductor portfolio. Comparable for high-voltage analog and ASSP work targeting similar industrial and automotive applications.
• NXP Semiconductors: European-headquartered IDM with strong automotive analog/mixed-signal franchise. Comparable for automotive ASIC and ASSP opportunities where both compete on reliability and high-voltage capability.

Direct peers

• Melexis: Belgian mixed-signal IC IDM specializing in automotive sensor ICs and custom ASICs. Closest comparable to PREMA in size, business model (custom mixed-signal ASICs + ASSPs), and target automotive/industrial sensor applications.
• X-FAB Silicon Foundries: Specialty analog/mixed-signal foundry offering BiCMOS and high-voltage processes plus design services. Comparable specialty-fab operator in the analog/mixed-signal space competing for custom ASIC and foundry business in Europe.
• ams OSRAM: Austrian-headquartered sensor and opto-IC vendor with strong photodiode and optoelectronics portfolio. Directly comparable for PREMA's Opto-ASICs and photodiode ASSP product lines serving industrial sensor markets.

Emerging players

• ScioSense: European sensor IC spin-off specializing in ASICs for environmental and bio-sensing. Comparable as a smaller analog mixed-signal IC company competing in custom and semi-custom sensor IC niches where PREMA also operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/premasemicon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prema-semiconductor-gmbh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PREMA Semiconductor