Infineon Opens World’s Largest SiC Power Semiconductor Fab in Malaysia

As global decarbonization efforts drive demand for power semiconductors, Infineon Technologies AG has officially opened the first phase of a new fab in Malaysia that will become the world’s largest and most competitive 200-millimeter silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor fab.

Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister of the state of Kedah YAB Dato’ Seri Haji Muhammad Sanusi Haji Mohd Nor joined Infineon CEO Jochen Hanebeck, to symbolically launch production.

The highly efficient 200-millimeter SiC power fab will strengthen Infineon’s role as the global leader in power semiconductors. The first phase of the fab, with an investment volume of €2 billion, will focus on the production of silicon carbide power semiconductors and will include gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxy.

SiC semiconductors have revolutionized high-power applications because they switch electricity even more efficiently and enable even smaller designs. SiC semiconductors increase efficiency in electric vehicles, fast charging stations and trains as well as renewable energy systems and AI data centers; 900 high-value jobs will be created already in the first phase.

The second phase, with an investment of up to €5 billion, will create the world’s largest and most efficient 200-millimeter SiC power fab. Overall, up to 4,000 jobs will be created with the project.

“New generations of power semiconductors based on innovative technology such as silicon carbide are an absolute prerequisite to achieving decarbonization and climate protection. Our technology increases the energy efficiency of ubiquitous applications such as electric cars, solar and wind power systems and AI data centers. We are therefore investing in the largest and most efficient high-tech SiC production facility in Malaysia, backed by strong customer commitments,” said Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of Infineon Technologies AG. “Since the demand for semiconductors will constantly rise, the investment in Kulim is highly attractive to our customers, who are backing it with their prepayments. It also increases the resilience of the supply chain for critical components needed for the green transition.”

Infineon has secured design wins with a total value of approximately €5 billion and has received approximately €1 billion in prepayments from existing and new customers for the ongoing expansion of the Kulim 3 fab. Notably, these design wins include six OEMs in the automotive sector as well as customers in the renewable energy and industrial segments.