SK Siltron Collaborates with UK IQE to Enter GaN Wafer Market

Securing Future Growth Engines through GaN Wafer Business for Wireless Communication and Power Semiconductors

From the left, Americo Lemos, CEO of IQE, and Jang Yong-ho, President of SK Siltron, are taking a commemorative photo after signing the Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA). / Photo by SK Siltron

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Pyeonghwa] SK Siltron is expanding its domain from its main business of silicon wafer production to the advanced semiconductor material gallium nitride (GaN)-based wafer business. The goal is to secure future growth engines through this expansion.

On the 6th, SK Siltron announced that it signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) with UK-based global epitaxial wafer manufacturer IQE at its headquarters in Gumi.

IQE is a global company supplying advanced compound semiconductor wafers and material solutions to semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. It is the global number one player in the compound epitaxial wafer market, which has high technological entry barriers.

With this agreement, SK Siltron will officially enter the GaN wafer market, which is gaining attention as a material for wireless communication semiconductors and power semiconductors. Depending on customer requirements, SK Siltron and IQE will jointly develop customized GaN wafers and aim to expand the market through marketing cooperation in the Asian market.

GaN wafers are produced by depositing a GaN thin film on silicon wafers or silicon carbide wafers. Compared to conventional wafers, they feature high power conversion efficiency even in high-voltage environments. Demand is increasing as they are used in many fields requiring high output and heat resistance, such as electric vehicles, smart devices, and 5th generation mobile communication (5G)-based high-speed network equipment.

SK Siltron aims to strengthen its future growth engine by expanding its business into advanced semiconductor materials alongside its silicon wafer business, which holds the third position in the global market based on manufacturing, technology, and quality competitiveness.

Jang Yongho, President of SK Siltron, said, “The two companies have laid the foundation for expanding the Asian market through joint development and marketing of GaN wafers in the advanced materials field,” and added, “We expect the cooperation with IQE to lead to groundbreaking success and develop into collaborative relationships in various fields.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.