“Clas-SiC to Build Power Fab in Europe”

Clas-SiC Wafer Fab in the UK has recently announced a significant deal to establish a power fab in mainland Europe. The company, known for its production of silicon carbide (SiC) devices in Scotland, has been making strides in the semiconductor industry with partnerships, including one with a Chinese chip maker. This new fab in Europe is a result of a Licensing, Royalty, and Consulting agreement, marking a milestone as the first wide bandgap plant in the region. The endeavor comes on the heels of a substantial £10m investment from Archean (ACIL) of India towards the end of 2024.

“ACIL was the first Indian company to invest in a silicon carbide MOSFET production facility. In line with its broader semiconductor ambitions, ACIL has also signed agreements through its subsidiary, SiCSem Private Limited, which focuses on the compound semiconductor space, specifically silicon carbide,” shared a representative from the company. “The Indian company plans to build a silicon carbide manufacturing facility in Odisha within the next 24-36 months, positioning itself to cater to domestic and international markets.”

Clas-SiC made waves in 2022 by signing an LR&C agreement with a major power semiconductor Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM) in China. This strategic move is expected to significantly accelerate the company’s timeline for self-developing SiC design and manufacturing, potentially cutting years off the process. The company’s fab in Scotland currently operates at low to medium volumes, producing 150mm wafers at the facility located in Lochgelly, Fife, while also offering R&D and prototyping services.

Silicon carbide technology holds immense importance for Europe, particularly in applications such as electric vehicle powertrains, solar farm infrastructure, and wind turbine inverters. Notably, STMicroelectronics is in the process of establishing an end-to-end line in Catania, Sicily, dedicated to manufacturing power devices from raw materials to finished products. Onsemi also has a production plant in the Czech Republic focused on SiC wafers, while Infineon Technologies manufactures SiC devices in its fabs located in Kulim, Malaysia, and Villach, Austria.

Clas-SiC is predominantly owned by executive chair Carl Johnson, a seasoned figure in the industry who founded II-VI (now Coherent) back in 1971 with a vision to develop and manufacture compound semiconductor materials. With this latest expansion into mainland Europe, Clas-SiC is poised to further solidify its position as a key player in the global semiconductor market, contributing to the advancement of silicon carbide technology and its diverse applications across various industries.