Resonac will supply Infineon with SiC materials for the production of power semiconductors

According to foreign media reports, Infineon Technologies has expanded its cooperation with silicon carbide (SiC) supplier Resonac. Under the new agreement, Resonac will supply Infineon with SiC materials used in the production of SiC semiconductors, expected to account for a double-digit share of its demand over the next decade.

(Image source: Resonac)

In addition to 150mm diameter materials, Resonac also plans to supply Infineon with 200mm diameter SiC materials.

Compared with traditional silicon-wafer-based power semiconductors, SiC power semiconductors can reduce power losses and release less heat, thereby saving energy. As a result, the SiC power semiconductor market is rapidly expanding, especially in areas such as electric vehicles .

The performance of SiC power semiconductors is largely affected by the SiC epitaxial wafer (epi-wafer). Therefore, epitaxial wafers need to have low surface defect density and stable quality. Currently, SiC power semiconductors are mainly made from SiC epitaxial wafers with a diameter of 150mm (6 inches). The larger the diameter of the SiC epitaxial wafer, the more SiC power semiconductor chips that power device manufacturers can produce. Therefore, device manufacturers hope to introduce SiC epitaxial wafers with larger diameters than traditional epitaxial wafers, thereby increasing productivity and reducing device costs. Since 2021, Resonac has been accelerating the development of 200mm SiC epitaxial wafers.

In addition, Resonac will strengthen joint development activities with Infineon to accelerate the improvement of SiC epitaxial wafer technology and product quality. As part of the collaboration, Infineon will provide Resonac with intellectual property related to SiC material technology.

Currently, Infineon is expanding its SiC manufacturing capabilities in order to capture 30% of the market share by 2030. By 2027, Infineon's SiC manufacturing capabilities are expected to increase 10 times. Its new factory in Kulim, Malaysia is scheduled to start production in 2024. Today, Infineon provides SiC semiconductor products to more than 3,600 customers around the world.