silicon carbide

March 12, 2025 – Qingchun Semiconductor, a rising player in the silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor industry, has announced the appointment of Robin Zhang (张三岭) as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Zhang, a seasoned industry expert with over 20 years of experience in analog and power semiconductors, will now oversee the company’s global sales and marketing strategy.

China's silicon carbide (SiC) industry is witnessing rapid advancements, with two major breakthroughs making headlines: Shoke Crystal’s Phase II production facility is now fully operational, adding 200,000 wafers in annual capacity, and Li Auto has successfully installed its self-developed SiC power chips, marking a new milestone for domestic electric vehicle (EV) technology.

As the silicon carbide (SiC) industry enters a critical development phase in 2025, the shift toward 8-inch wafer production is accelerating. This transformation is fueling increased demand for high-precision semiconductor equipment. Following the successful delivery of 30 sets of SiC epitaxy equipment by CETC (China Electronics Technology Group Corporation), another major development has emerged—Zhongdao Optoelectronics has secured repeat orders from a leading SiC customer for its advanced defect detection systems.

On December 16, 2024, Jingsheng Mechanical and Electrical Co., Ltd. (Jingsheng) announced the official establishment of its Materials Research Institute in Japan. The new institute is part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance R&D in silicon, sapphire, and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor substrates, further expanding its footprint in the global semiconductor and photovoltaic industries.

As of October 2023, Beijing's government investment fund completed investments in 139 projects across the city, with a key focus on accelerating the development of advanced semiconductor technologies. Among the recipients of this investment is Lattice Field Semiconductor Co., Ltd., a company based in Beijing’s Shunyi district, which is set to expedite its research and production of liquid-phase SiC (Silicon Carbide) substrates.

With the rapid growth of downstream industries such as renewable energy, 5G, and photovoltaics, third-generation semiconductors—represented by silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN)—are seeing unprecedented development. Semiconductor giants are expanding their presence, and governments worldwide, including the United States, are increasing subsidies to accelerate advancements in this critical sector.

Mitsubishi Electric is reportedly in discussions with domestic competitors to establish a power semiconductor alliance, according to the company’s CEO, Kei Urushima, in an interview with Bloomberg. This move aims to enhance collaboration in producing these critical components, essential for driving various electronic devices globally.

On December 5th, STMicroelectronics, a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, announced a significant long-term supply agreement with Ampere, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing arm of Renault Group.

ZF, a global leader in driveline and chassis technology, has recently opened its third electric drive factory in China—ZF Electric Drive Systems (Shenyang) Co., Ltd. This new facility, located in Shenyang, will produce and sell key components for electric vehicles (EVs), including the three-in-one electric drive axle system for new energy vehicles (NEVs).

In recent months, China's semiconductor industry has achieved significant milestones, with companies like Jingjia Micro, Loongson Technology, Gaoren Semiconductor, Linko Semiconductor, Zhongxin Wafer, Guoxin Technology, and Lanqi Technology making remarkable progress. These advancements span multiple critical semiconductor sectors, including GPUs, MCUs, clock chips, silicon carbide, and gallium oxide.

Vishay Intertechnology, a leading manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and passive components, has announced a major investment of £51 million ($69 million) in the Newport Wafer Fab (NWF), located in South Wales. This investment, which will significantly enhance the facility's production capabilities, is part of Vishay’s strategic plan to expand its presence in the semiconductor market, particularly in power devices and silicon carbide (SiC) technologies.

The localization of the semiconductor industry in China is a long-term proposition. Over recent years, the degree of localization across both upstream and downstream segments of China’s semiconductor industry chain has gradually improved. However, given the current volatile international and domestic situations, China’s semiconductor industry is being propelled to accelerate its development.