What’s Happening: ZF, a leading technology company, has announced that starting in 2025, it will purchase silicon carbide devices from STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader. The multi-year contract will see ST supply ZF with double-digit millions of silicon carbide devices to be integrated into ZF’s new modular inverter architecture, set to go into series production in 2025.
Why It Matters: This partnership strengthens ZF’s supply chain, allowing the company to securely supply customers as it continues to expand in the electromobility market. With an order book in electromobility totaling over 30 billion euros until 2030, ZF requires reliable suppliers like STMicroelectronics to meet the demand for silicon carbide devices.
Key Points:
- ZF will leverage ST’s vertically integrated silicon carbide manufacturing in Europe and Asia to secure customer orders in electromobility.
- STMicroelectronics is a world-class supplier for silicon carbide technology, offering high-quality devices at the required quantities.
- ST will manufacture the silicon carbide chips in Italy and Singapore, with packaging and testing taking place in Morocco and China.
- ZF can connect a variable number of devices together to match customers’ performance requirements without altering the inverter’s design.
- The use of silicon carbide devices in inverters for electric vehicles and other applications reduces power losses, increases efficiency, and allows for more cost-effective system designs.
Bottom Line: ZF’s partnership with STMicroelectronics for the supply of silicon carbide devices is a strategic move to strengthen the company’s supply chain and meet growing customer demand in the electromobility market. The integration of silicon carbide technology into ZF’s new modular inverter architecture will improve electric vehicle performance, offering faster charging, longer driving ranges, and more efficient energy management.
