Semiconductors, ZF and partner Wolfspeed will establish R&D center and production plant in Germany

ZF and partner Wolfspeed, the global leader in semiconductors – Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology – announced a strategic partnership that includes the creation of a joint innovation lab to drive advances in SiC systems and devices for mobility, industrial and energy applications. ZF will invest in order to support the planned construction of a greatly advanced and large 200 mm Silicon Carbide device fab in Ensdorf, Germany.

The semiconductors R&D center will focus on innovation for Silicon Carbide systems and devices to meet specific requirements in all mobility segments including consumer, commercial, agricultural, and industrial vehicles as well as in the industrial and renewable energy markets. The collaboration will drive improvements such as higher efficiency, increased power density and higher performances for electrification solutions.

ZF and Wolfspeed to felly on automated facility for semiconstructors

Wolfspeed plans to construct a fully automated, highly advanced 200 mm wafer fabrication facility in Saarland, Germany. ZF intends to support this new construction by making a sizable financial investment in the hundreds of millions of dollars in exchange for Wolfspeed common stock. As a part of this investment ZF will have a minority ownership position in the fab.

“We have a strong partner by our side in ZF, which brings industry-leading experience in scaling omponents for electric mobility as well as the aptitude to accelerate innovation in Silicon Carbide systems and power devices. I am confident this partnership will lift Silicon Carbide semiconductor technology to a new level of global impact, supporting increased sustainability and efficiency efforts across a multitude of industries,” said Gregg Lowe, president and CEO of Wolfspeed.

“Together, Wolfspeed and ZF combine expertise in power electronics and systems with a know-how in applications that is unparalleled in the industry. Wolfspeed brings its more than 35 years in Silicon Carbide technology, and at ZF we have a unique understanding of the overall systems across all sectors from passenger cars and commercial vehicles to construction machinery, wind power and industrial applications. The close cooperation between fab and R&D center will enable us to develop breakthrough innovations beyond state of the art for the benefit of our customers,” added Stephan von Schuckmann, Member of the ZF Board of Management.