Expand production capacity and reduce costs! Italian Semiconductor makes the first batch of 200mm Silicon Carbide Wafers

(ST) announced that ST Sweden Beixueping Factory has produced the first batch of 200mm (8-inch) silicon carbide (SiC) wafers, which will be used to produce product prototypes for the next generation of power electronic chips. The SiC wafer upgrade to 200mm marks an important phased success of ST's production expansion plan for automotive and industrial customers, consolidating its leadership position in this groundbreaking technology field, improving the lightweight and energy efficiency of power electronic chips, and reducing the total cost of ownership of products for customers.

There are very few defects that affect the chip yield and crystal wei errors in the first batch of 200mm SiC wafers of STMicroelectronics. The low defect rate can not be achieved without the deep accumulation and precipitation of French semiconductor silicon carbide company (formerly Norstel company, acquired by ST in 2019) in the development of SiC ingot growth technology. Upgrading SiC wafers to 200mm also requires upgrading and replacement of manufacturing equipment and the overall support ecosystem. In addition, STMicroelectronics is working with technology manufacturers upstream and downstream of the supply chain to develop their own manufacturing equipment and production processes.

STPOWER SiC, an advanced mass production silicon carbide product from STMicroelectronics, is currently manufactured in Catania (Italy) and Hongmaoqiao (Singapore) two 150mm wafer foundries, and the latter process is being manufactured in Shenzhen (China) and Buskula (Morocco) closed test plants. This phased success is part of a cost-effective 200mm SiC mass production program with a more advanced STMicroelectronics layout. The upgrade of SiC wafers to 200mm belongs to the company's ongoing production plan to build a new SiC substrate plant and internal procurement of more than 40% of SiC substrates.

Marco Monti, president of Italian-French Semiconductor Automotive and discrete Devices products, said: the automotive and industrial markets are accelerating the electrification of systems and products, and upgrading SiC wafers to 200mm will bring great benefits to our automotive and industrial customers.

Earlier, Forbes reported that Renault had reached a strategic partnership with St to ensure that Renault would provide sufficient power semiconductors for its pure electric and hybrid vehicles from 2026.