Germany-based leading semiconductor solutions manufacturer Infineon Technologies AG has reportedly laid the foundation stone for its new semiconductor facility in Villach, Austria. As per trusted sources, the company has further acquired a Dresden-based start-up Siltectra to fortify its technological leadership in the power semiconductor domain.
Reportedly, Infineon has invested 1.6 billion euros in the Villach facility. In addition to a new manufacturing line, the company would build a complex dedicated toward research and development. Moreover, it would manufacture power semiconductors in a fully automated production plant on 300-millimeter thin wafers. In an environment characterized by supply bottlenecks and economic slowdown, the facility is expected to create 600 jobs for semiconductor experts, state people familiar with the development.
According to a press release by Infineon, Siltectra has created an innovative technology (Cold Split) to treat crystal material with minimal loss of substance and much more efficiency. The startup would utilize the new technology to split silicon carbide (SiC) wafers. Reportedly, Cold Split can double the number of components per wafer as well.
Chief Executive Officer of Infineon, Dr. Reinhard Ploss was reportedly quoted stating that the takeover would assist the company in expanding its product range with the latest material silicon carbide as well. The higher number of SiC wafers, courtesy the Cold Split technology, would make the re-designing of SiC products of Infineon much easier. The company’s unique know-how and system understanding on thin wafer technology would be complemented by the innovative capacity and the Cold Split technology of Siltectera, Ploss further added.
As per the financial results declared by Infineon, the company garnered more than 2 billion euros in a single quarter for the very first time. Exceeding the expectations of analysts and Infineon’s own targets, sales improved by 8 percent to 7.6 billion euros in the previous fiscal year. The company has projected an increase of 9 to 13 percent in sales revenue for the 2018-19 fiscal year, cite sources.