News

Asia-Pacific Drives Soaring Demand for Graphene-Based Semiconductors

Craigard tenant Paragraf is capitalising on rising global demand for graphene-based semiconductors that are 10 times faster than their silicon counterparts.

Cambridgeshire-based Paragraf is the first company in the world to mass produce graphene-based electronic devices using standard semiconductor processes.

Graphene is very light, strong and conductive, enabling much higher-speed electronics. It also sheds heat more effectively.

Being hundreds of thousands of times thinner than the average human hair, graphene is incredibly flexible – making it useful for advanced sensors and high-frequency communications. Other applications include medical diagnostics and optoelectronics.

Graphene-based semiconductors are expected to be one of the fastest growing technologies over coming years. Asia-Pacific is a key driver of demand.

Paragraf is widely recognised as an emerging tech leader in the field. The Cambridge University spin-off has raised more than $140 million (£104.59 million) over three rounds of funding.

Craigard let TG44 Tower Gate – 43,167 sq ft (4,010 sq m) of Grade A industrial space in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – to Paragraf in November 2022. The property occupies a prominent location on the main St Peters Road through the historic market town.

Craigard originally acquired the 2.75-acre site for £2.3 million in December 2019, tasking Glencar Construction with the delivery of two high-grade units: TG12 (13,877 sq ft, 1,289 sq m) and TG44. Bidwells and DTRE were joint agents for Craigard on the development.

The scheme was centred within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, also known as the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.

This globally significant area between Oxford, Cambridge and Milton Keynes covers the counties of Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire.

It supports more than two million jobs, adding more than £110 billion to the UK economy annually. Huntingdon’s positioning in the Arc reaps the benefits of the region’s world-class R&D, life science and manufacturing bases.

On March 17 2026, the government announced that funding for the OxCam Corridor – the “UK’s Silicon Valley” – would be doubled with £800 million now available.

Funds will unlock new homes, laboratories and transport with fast-track development and cutting of red tape to help drive economic growth. Meanwhile, the East West Rail project will improve transport connections by creating new rail infrastructure, upgrading some existing lines and reinstating another.

Paragraf has invested millions of pounds in the Craigard property. Work by CMB Engineering has included ISO 5, ISO 6 and ISO 8 cleanroom fit outs and the installation of ultra-high purity hydrogen and nitrogen distribution systems. Paragraf has also obtained a huge 3MVA power supply; it would be large enough to power 600-1,500 homes simultaneously.

Craigard Managing Director David Foster said: “We are very proud to have Paragraf as a tenant.

“This pioneering company is recognised as a high-potential deep-tech leader in the semiconductor industry, lauded for successfully transitioning graphene from laboratory research to commercial-scale production.

“As the first company to mass-produce graphene-based electronics on standard industry substrates, Paragraf is regarded as a premier, high-value prospect in advanced materials – exactly the kind of company we seek to attract with our Grade A industrial developments,” he added.

Hampshire-based Craigard specialises in commercial property syndicates. The company – which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary – has an £85 million portfolio comprising around 20 assets under management. It has raised £100 million in private equity and exited 28 syndicates with a proven track record of delivering strong returns.

Craigard always co-invests in its syndicates. The team is currently working on a series of commercial property syndication opportunities.

For further information, please contact Craigard.