Samsung Electronics is a key company in the automotive semiconductor market. According to the latest information, the South Korean tech giant has now announced its entry into the next-generation power semiconductor market.
Samsung Electronics recently held the Samsung Foundry Forum 2023 in the United States and Korea. At this event, the company reportedly revealed its plans to launch an 8-inch gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductor foundry service by 2025. It will be helpful for data centers, and automotive applications.
Power semiconductors are crucial for converting power and controlling current in various electronic devices, such as smartphones and home appliances. Now, electric and autonomous vehicles are gaining a lot of attention in the market, the demand for power semiconductors has increased, leading to increased prices. In response, the semiconductor industry is looking to alternative materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) as wafer materials for power semiconductors. These compound materials offer greater durability and power efficiency compared to traditional silicon, making them suitable for demanding conditions like those in automobiles.
European semiconductor companies currently dominate the power semiconductor market and are actively investing in new materials. Infineon, a leading German power and automotive semiconductor company, is making substantial investments in Germany and Malaysia to expand SiC semiconductor production.
