Showa Denko Acquires Assets Concerning SiC for Power Devices from Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Group
07 Août 2017 - 05:00AM
JCN Newswire (English)
Showa Denko ("SDK"; TSE:4004) has decided to acquire assets
concerning Sublimation-recrystallization Method to manufacture
silicon carbide (SiC) wafers from Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal
Corporation (NSSMC) and Nippon Steel & Sumikin Materials Co.,
Ltd. (NSMAT) by around the end of January 2018.
When compared with the mainstream silicon-based semiconductors,
SiC-based power devices can operate under high-temperature,
high-voltage, and high-current conditions, while substantially
reducing energy loss. These features enable the production of
smaller, lighter, and more energy efficient next-generation power
control modules. On the other hand, development of full-SiC-based
power modules including MOSFET (metal-oxide semiconductor
field-effect transistor) requires SiC wafers with fewer crystal
defects and further cost reduction.
SDK initiated research and development of SiC epitaxial wafers in
2005, and now produces and sells 3,000 epitaxial wafers per month*.
This time, SDK aims to improve the quality of its products through
the acquisition of assets currently owned by Nippon Steel &
Sumitomo Metal Group.
In its ongoing medium-term business plan "Project 2020+," SDK
positions its business to produce and sell SiC epitaxial wafers for
power devices as "Advantage-establishing" business. SDK will
further strengthen its product development and supply system for
SiC epitaxial wafers, aiming to contribute to the spread of
SiC-based power devices.
Note:
*This number is based on a conversion into SiC epitaxial wafers for
power devices having withstanding voltage of 1,200 V.
About Showa Denko K.K.
Showa Denko K.K. ("SDK"; TSE:4004, US:SHWDF) is a major
manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide range
of fields ranging from heavy industry to the electronic and
computer industries. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker
products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector
provides industrial and high-performance gases and chemicals and
high-purity gases and chemicals for the semiconductor industry, and
the Inorganics Sector provides ceramics products such as alumina,
abrasive, refractory and graphite electrodes and fine carbon
products. Today, the Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials
and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector
provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra
high-bright LEDs and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced
Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery
components. For more information, please visit
www.sdk.co.jp/english/.
Source: Showa Denko K.K.
Contact:
Public Relations Office
Phone: 81-3-5470-3235
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