Wafer supplier Soitec SA (Bernin, France) has announced plans for an additional fabrication facility at its headquarters, primarily to make silicon-carbide wafers.

The facility will be there to meet demand for silicon-carbide for electric vehicle and industrial markets, with wafers made using the SmartSiC production method. It will also support the production of 300mm diameter silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers.

Soitec has engaged with a number of silicon-carbide device makers and expects to generate first revenues from SmartSiC production in the 2H23.

The company did not say how much it plans to spend, how big the facility would be or when it would come into production.

“我们预计,到2030年,所有的40%左右new cars will be electric. Our unique, highly performant, sustainable and cost competitive SmartSiC solution addresses the industrial challenges, helps to optimize energy efficiency, and will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles,” said Paul Boudre, outgoing CEO of Soitec. “This investment is a major milestone for us as SmartSiC™ is set to be another growth engine for Soitec, and a driver of the transformation of the automotive and industrial markets,” he added.

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