onsemi’s expanded SiC production plant in Bucheon, South Korea is ready
Date: 29/10/2023
onsemi announced the successful completion of expansion for its silicon carbide (SiC) fabrication facility located in Bucheon, South Korea. With the facility now operating at full capacity, it can produce over one million 200 mm SiC wafers annually. To accommodate the increased manufacturing capacity for SiC, onsemi has devised a strategic plan to recruit up to 1,000 skilled professionals from the local talent pool within the next three years. This recruitment drive will primarily focus on filling highly technical positions, resulting in a remarkable surge of more than 40% in the workforce, which currently stands at approximately 2,300 employees.
The exponential growth in the market for electric vehicles (Evs), energy infrastructure, and high-power EV chargers has underscored the significance of silicon carbide devices in power conversion. However, the soaring demand for these products has resulted in a supply-demand imbalance, with the demand for SiC chips surpassing the available supply for the foreseeable future. In response to this pressing issue, onsemi has taken a proactive approach by expanding its Bucheon fab to enhance production capacity. This strategic move not only ensures a steady supply for its customers but also reinforces onsemi's position as a frontrunner in intelligent power solutions.
The construction of a 150 mm/200 mm SiC fab line, along with a utility building and adjacent parking garage, commenced in mid-2022 and was completed by September 2023. This expansion of the 150 mm/200 mm SiC Epi and wafer fab underscores onsemi's commitment to developing its vertically integrated silicon carbide manufacturing supply chain at brownfield sites. The Bucheon SiC line will initially produce 150 mm wafers and will transition to 200 mm in 2025, following the qualification of the 200 mm SiC process.
Onsemi's leadership was accompanied by a delegation of dignitaries, headed by Vice Governor for Economy of the Gyeonggi-Do, Taeyoung Yeom. This distinguished group further comprises Bucheon City Mayor, YongEek Cho, National Assembly delegates, and Bucheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman, JongHuem Kim. Additionally, the event witnessed the presence of representatives from local communities, customers, suppliers, and the semiconductor industry.
Onsemi CEO Hassane El-Khoury opened the event, noting, “The 150 mm/200 mm SiC wafer fab in Bucheon is critical to the continued success of our fully integrated SiC supply chain, enabling us to support the acceleration of electrification globally. The last five years have shown what extraordinary performance our Bucheon team is capable of, and what we can achieve when we work together with governmental agencies toward the common goal of a more sustainable future.”
“I am truly impressed by onsemi’s diligent and yet fast execution of its strategic plan to expand the Bucheon SiC wafer fab,” said Bucheon City Mayor YongEek Cho. “Not only will the city of Bucheon benefit from the creation of new employment opportunities in technology, but it will also be a part of laying the foundation for a sustainable ecosystem through electrification.”
For more information visit: www.onsemi.com.
Source: onsemi
