SK Siltron acquires US DuPont's SiC Wafer Division

SK Siltron, a global manufacturer of semiconductor wafers, announces the completion of acquisition process of DuPont's Silicon Carbide Wafer (SiC Wafer) unit. This acquisition process which was initiated in September last year concluded on February 29. Through this acquisition, SK Siltron, based in Gumi, South Korea, is expected to maximize its R&D and production capabilities and synergy between its current major businesses, while securing new growth engines by entering rapidly expanding areas.

The $450 million acquisition is considered a bold global technology investment to meet the demand from consumers & governments for sustainable energy & environmental solutions. SK Siltron will continue to invest in related fields even after the acquisition, which is expected to increase SiC wafers' production & create additional jobs in the U.S. The primary site for the business is in Auburn, Mich., about 120 miles north of Detroit.

Demand for power semiconductors is rapidly increasing

Demand for power semiconductors is rapidly increasing as automakers are scrambling to enter the electric vehicle market & telecommunication companies are expanding ultra-fast 5G networks

as automakers are scrambling to enter the electric vehicle market & telecommunication companies are expanding ultra-fast 5G networks. The characteristics of SiC wafers, such as high hardness, heat resistance & the ability to withstand high voltages, have made it widely seen as a material to produce power semiconductors for electric vehicles and 5G networks where energy efficiency is important.

SK Siltron, South Korea's only producer of semiconductor silicon wafers & among the top five global wafer manufacturers, accounts for about 17 percent of global silicon wafer sales. Overseas subsidiaries & offices at key trade locations like the US, Japan, China, Europe and Taiwan, facilitate the firm to efficiently cater to a vast geographical area. In fact, its US subsidiary has been selling which was ideated in 2001, has been selling wafers to eight customers, including Intel and Micron.

An affiliate company of Seoul-based SK Group, South Korea's third-largest conglomerate, SK Siltron continues pioneering next-generation semi-conductor technology innovation based on world-class technology.