Wolfspeed opens world’s largest 200mm SiC fab

Business news | May 2, 2022

By Nick Flaherty

Materials & processes Power Management

Wolfspeed has opened the world’s largest fab for silicon carbide (SiC) power devices.

The 200mm fab in Mohawk Valley, New York state, was started construction under Cree over two years ago. It expands Wolfspeed’s manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for SiC devices in automotive and industrial applications. The first SiC lot was run at the fab earlier this month.

The devices developed in Mohawk Valley will be critical for Wolfspeed’s $20bn pipeline of orders around the world. More than 600 high-tech Mohawk Valley jobs will be created by 2029.

Electric car maker Lucid Motors opened the plant with its Lucid Air, as Wolfspeed announced a multi-year agreement with Lucid to supply SiC devices.

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“By cutting the ribbon on this new chip fabrication facility, we are making good on the promise of being the most business-friendly and worker-friendly state in the nation, while cementing New York as the national hub for semiconductor production,” said Kathy Hochul, governor of New York state.

“Employers in cutting-edge industries like Wolfspeed will power the future of New York by bringing good paying jobs and educational opportunities to communities like this one, right here in Marcy. My administration is pulling out all the stops to position emerging industries for success in our state, and I thank Wolfspeed for this public-private partnership,” she said.

“This fab will not only supply customers in 2022 but also support long-term American competitiveness,” said Gregg Lowe, president and CEO of Wolfspeed and former CEO of Freescale Semiconductor.

“As the world advances towards an all-electric future for transportation, Silicon Carbide technology is at the forefront of the industry’s transition to EVs, enabling superior performance, range and charge time. Our investment in the Mohawk Valley Fab ensures our customers, including Lucid, have access to the advanced products they need to deliver innovative solutions to the market,” he said.

Lucid Air’s inverters feature Wolfspeed’s XM3 Silicon Carbide power modules in the 500kW, 74kg proprietary electric motor.

“We are proud to be a part of the growing semiconductor industry in New York and appreciate the strong, sustained support received from our local partners,” said Rex Felton, Senior Vice President of Global Operations. “This facility showcases our commitment to the highest standards for operational excellence that will lead to more output and therefore, more product in the hands of our customers.”

Wolfspeed is also expanding its operations in North Carolina with the creation of a materials factory in Durham, scheduled to be completed later this year.

“Twenty-seven months ago, Wolfspeed, State and local partners announced plans by Wolfspeed to build the world’s largest 200 mm state-of-the-art Silicon Carbide semiconductor facility here in the Mohawk Valley,” said Mohawk Valley EDGE President and CEO Steven DiMeo. “We want to give special thanks to Gregg Lowe and the entire Wolfspeed team for their commitment and the tremendous community partner they have become with their financial commitments to SUNY Poly and Mohawk Valley Community College to produce the next generation of technology leaders.”

www.wolfspeed.com