What’s Happening
DENSO Corporation, a prominent mobility supplier, and United Semiconductor Japan Co., Ltd. (USJC), a subsidiary of global semiconductor foundry United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), have announced their joint collaboration to produce insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT). Mass production of IGBT has commenced at the 300mm fab of USJC, marking a significant milestone with a first shipment ceremony held today. This achievement comes just one year after the companies revealed their strategic partnership for this crucial power semiconductor utilized in electric vehicles.
Why It Matters
As electric vehicle adoption accelerates, automakers aim to enhance powertrain efficiency while increasing the cost-effectiveness of electrified vehicles. The jointly invested line at USJC supports the production of a new generation of IGBT developed by DENSO, offering a 20% reduction in power losses compared to previous generation devices. Production is projected to reach 10,000 wafers per month by 2025.
Key Points
The ceremony took place at USJC’s fab in Mie Prefecture, Japan, with attendees including DENSO President Koji Arima, UMC Co-President Jason Wang, USJC President Michiari Kawano, officials from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mie Prefecture Governor, and Kuwana City Mayor.
DENSO’s Koji Arima expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the importance of working together to accelerate electrification and contribute to a sustainable global environment.
USJC President Michiari Kawano highlighted the company’s pride in being the first Japanese semiconductor foundry to manufacture IGBT on 300mm wafers, offering greater production efficiency than standard fabrication on 200mm wafers.
UMC Co-President Jason Wang emphasized UMC’s commitment to playing a significant role in the automotive value chain and enabling their partners to capture opportunities and win market share in the rapidly evolving industry.
Bottom Line
The collaboration between DENSO and USJC signifies an important step forward in the production of IGBT, a critical component for electric vehicles. With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide, this partnership aims to improve powertrain efficiency and cost-effectiveness, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for the automotive industry.
