News: Suppliers
6 May 2021
Infineon agrees SiC material supply and development contract with SDK
Semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies AG of Munich, Germany has concluded a supply contract with the Tokyo-based wafer manufacturer Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) for an extensive range of silicon carbide (SiC) material, including epitaxy, thus securing more base material to meet the growing demand for SiC-based products.
SiC enables highly efficient and robust power semiconductors that are used in particular in the fields of photovoltaic, industrial power supply, and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs).
Infineon claims to have the industry’s largest portfolio of SiC semiconductors for industrial applications. “Our broad and fast-growing portfolio demonstrates Infineon’s leading role in supporting and shaping the market for SiC-based semiconductors, which is expected to grow 30-40% annually over the next five years [according to Yole’s April report ‘Compound Semiconductor Market Monitor - Module 1 Q1 2021’],” says Peter Wawer, president of the Industrial Power Control Division at Infineon. “The expansion of our supplier base with Showa Denko for wafers in this growth market marks an important step in our multi-sourcing strategy. It will support us to reliably meet the growing demand mid to long term. Furthermore, we plan to collaborate with Showa Denko on the strategic development of the material to improve the quality while cutting costs at the same time.”
“Our aim is to continuously improve our SiC material and develop the next technology,” says Jiro Ishikawa, senior managing corporate officer at Showa Denko. “We value Infineon as an excellent partner in this regard.”
The contract between Infineon and SDK has a two-year term with an extension option.
DENSO adopts SDK’s 150mm SiC epiwafers
SDK plans third expansion of high-grade SiC epi production in two years
