SK keyfoundry said on the 12th that it has established a dedicated unit to provide customer-specific silicon carbide (SiC) solutions. The company set the target timing to start its SiC-based power semiconductor foundry (contract manufacturing) business for the first half of 2026.
SK keyfoundry secured SiC-based power semiconductor design and manufacturing capabilities by acquiring SK Powertech. SK keyfoundry previously bought 98.59% equity of SK Powertech, which SK Co. acquired in 2022, for 25 billion won.
An SK keyfoundry official said, "From wafer processing to back-end processes, we have accumulated diverse process optimization technologies and Production yield improvement know-how based on a deep understanding of manufacturing," and added, "By securing SK Powertech's SiC process and design technologies, we expect to create synergies in the SiC-based compound semiconductor field."
Based on the acquisition of SK Powertech and the launch of the dedicated unit, SK keyfoundry plans to provide SiC MOSFET 1200V process technology within the year. It also plans to start the SiC-based power semiconductor foundry business in the first half of next year.
Power semiconductors control the direction of current and manage power conversion, and are used in electronics, electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and communications networks. SK keyfoundry plans to expand its SiC-based power semiconductor foundry process technologies with a focus on high-voltage, high-efficiency applications such as ▲ electric vehicle drive systems ▲ industrial power converters ▲ renewable energy inverters. According to market research firm Omdia, the global SiC market is expected to record an average annual growth rate of more than 24% from 2025 to 2030.
Lee Dong-jae, CEO of SK keyfoundry, said, "The acquisition of SK Powertech, an SiC specialist, has become a pivotal moment for SK keyfoundry to secure independent technological competitiveness in the compound semiconductor field," and added, "By launching high-efficiency SiC power semiconductor process technologies and products that combine the core development capabilities of both companies, we will build differentiated technology leadership in high-voltage, high-efficiency compound power semiconductor application fields that are growing rapidly in the global market."