Wolfspeed and ZF, a leading supplier of electric drives, is planning for a silicon carbide (SiC) research center in Nuremberg, Germany, aiming to improve the system design, module structure and production processes of SiC technology to shorten time-to-market. Wolfspeed intends to develop the facility together with its SiC chip factory in Saarland, Germany into the center of a European silicon carbide network. Wolfspeed and ZF already announced a strategic partnership earlier this year.
Like the Wolfspeed SiC factory in Saarland, funding for the new center, which will cost EUR300 million in total, is subject to approval by the European Commission under the European Union's Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) scheme. The prior approval of the relevant authorities, especially antitrust authorities, is also required. Construction will begin after IPECI funding approval has been secured for both projects, which is expected later this year.
In the starting phase, the new joint research facility will support approximately 150 jobs, and eventually support up to 1000 employees. "The research center is of outstanding importance for the energy and mobility transition in the EU and supports the strategic goals of Europe," says Dr Holger Klein, CEO of ZF. "In addition, optimizing Silicon Carbide technology advances industrial transformation and strengthens the independence of European supply chains."
"This research facility further strengthens our partnership with ZF and underlines our long-term commitment to turn our unique know-how from more than 35 years of experience in Silicon Carbide power electronics into state-of-the-art solutions for our industry partners," comments Gregg Lowe, CEO of Wolfspeed.
