Samsung enters the next generation automotive semiconductor market and will contract for 8-inch gallium nitride power semiconductors from 2025

CTOnews.com, July 7, according to BusinessKorea, Samsung Electronics recently held a 2023 Samsung wafer foundry forum for industry insiders in the United States and South Korea. At the event, Samsung announced that it will launch an 8-inch gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductor foundry service for consumers, data centers and automotive applications in 2025.

▲ graphics source Pexels power semiconductors are widely used in various electronic devices such as smart phones and household appliances, which are responsible for converting power and controlling current. In recent years, with the development of electric vehicles, the price of power semiconductors has been soaring. Therefore, the semiconductor industry hopes to use silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN) and other compound materials instead of silicon to make power semiconductors. These new materials are more durable and energy efficient than traditional silicon, so they can withstand the harsher conditions of cars.

At present, European semiconductor companies, which dominate the power semiconductor market, are already actively investing in new materials. Infineon, Germany's leading power and automotive semiconductor company, is investing heavily in Dresden and Malaysia to expand the production of silicon carbide semiconductors. CTOnews.com previously reported that French Italian and French semiconductor companies have also set up a joint venture factory for the production of silicon carbide materials in China in cooperation with San'an Optoelectronics.

Samsung Electronics formally started its power semiconductor business by setting up a power semiconductor department at the beginning of this year, and successfully accepted Infineon's power management IC order, making a new breakthrough in power semiconductor foundry.