U.S. semiconductor maker Wolfspeed announced plans on Feb. 1 local time to build a 200mm wafer fabrication plant in Saarland, Germany, which will be the company’s first plant in Europe and will be its most advanced plant in response to the growing demand for automotive, industrial, energy and other products.
Wolfspeed said the facility will be the world’s largest 200mm semiconductor plant, using innovative manufacturing processes to produce next-generation silicon carbide devices.
The Wolfspeed plant is planned as part of the cooperation in the framework of the European Major Projects of Common Interest in Microelectronics and Communication Technologies, the implementation of which is subject to the approval of the European Commission’s state aid rules. The “Major Project of European Common Interest” funds will be used to support the technology development and early deployment of the project.
ZF will also enter into a strategic partnership with Wolfspeed to provide investment to support the construction of the new plant.
According to Wolfspeed, the European plant will be an important part of the company’s $6.5 billion (currently about 43.81 billion yuan) capacity expansion plan, along with the 200mm Mohawk Valley Device Plant and the John Palmour Silicon Carbide Manufacturing Center.
