Chip producer Infineon: Millions for semiconductor competence center

© Gert Steinthaler

In the semiconductor plant of Infineon Technologies Austria, energy-saving chip production based on the promising silicon carbide technology is being expanded.

The German parent company Infineon Technologies, global market leader for power semiconductors, is investing EUR 35 million in the current fiscal year in the development and manufacturing at its global competence center for new semiconductor technology in Villach, Carinthia. The investment is designed to further develop semiconductor process technologies, set up state of the art production facilities and expand existing production.

The silicon carbide technology (SiC), serving as the basis for particularly high-performance energy-saving chips, is at a turning point. According to Infineon, the technology has enormous growth potential in the short and medium term. E-mobility and energy supply, the most suitable customers for the new type of SiC chips, are expected to expand by at least 20% annually over the next five years according to current forecasts. Infineon anticipates very high growth potential for charging stations for e-powered vehicles with considerably shorter charging times, solar energy plant inverters or in the field of uninterrupted power supply. According to Infineon, the Austrian research premium also played a role in the decision to make the large-scale investments in Villach.