SK keyfoundry has announced a significant advancement in its compound power semiconductor strategy by accelerating the development of silicon carbide (SiC)-based technologies. This move marks a major step in its efforts to expand into the global power semiconductor market. Central to this strategy is the recent acquisition of SK powertech, a company with established expertise and commercialized products in the SiC sector.
Leveraging its strong manufacturing capabilities and extensive intellectual property portfolio, SK keyfoundry plans to integrate SK powertech’s advanced SiC processes and design technologies to generate strategic synergy across its operations. The acquisition positions SK keyfoundry to achieve technological self-sufficiency in SiC power devices, enhancing its competitiveness in next-generation compound semiconductor markets.
The company is now targeting the development of SiC MOSFET 1200V process technologies by the end of 2025, with plans to launch its dedicated SiC-based foundry services in the first half of 2026. SK keyfoundry’s roadmap includes expanding its process technologies for high-voltage, high-efficiency applications such as electric vehicle powertrain systems, industrial power conversion equipment, and renewable energy inverters.
To support this effort, the company is reinforcing its process optimization and reliability evaluation capabilities, while establishing a dedicated SiC development team to deliver tailored solutions for customers across various power-critical industries.
The demand for SiC and other compound semiconductors continues to surge, driven by their superior energy efficiency and performance advantages. Key growth markets include electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), 5G infrastructure, and data centers. According to Omdia, the global SiC market is projected to grow at an annual rate of over 24% from 2025 through 2030, underscoring the strategic importance of this technology.
“The acquisition of SK powertech, a specialist in SiC, marked a pivotal step for SK keyfoundry in securing its own distinctive technological edge in the compound semiconductor field,” said Derek D. Lee, CEO of SK keyfoundry. “By combining the core development capabilities of both companies and launching high-efficiency SiC power semiconductor process technologies and products, SK keyfoundry aims to establish differentiated technological leadership in the rapidly growing global market for high-voltage and high-efficiency compound semiconductor applications.”
Original – SK keyfoundry