STMicroelectronics (ST) announced on the 11th that the first batch of 8-inch (200mm) silicon carbide (SiC) wafers was manufactured at the Norrköping factory in Sweden; upgrading the SiC wafers to 8-inches represents a phased success in ST's production expansion plan for automotive and industrial customers, improves the lightweight and energy efficiency of power electronic chips, and reduces customer acquisition costs.

Marco Monti, President of STMicroelectronics' Automotive and Discrete Products Division, said that the automotive and industrial markets are accelerating the electrification of systems and products. Upgrading to 8-inch SiC wafers will bring huge advantages to ST's automotive and industrial customers. By covering the deep expertise accumulated in the SiC ecosystem, ST's manufacturing flexibility can be improved, and wafer yields can be more effectively controlled and quality improved.

ST's advanced mass-produced silicon carbide STPOWER SiC is currently manufactured at two 6-inch wafer fabs in Catania, Italy and Ang Mo Kio, Singapore. The back-end process manufacturing is carried out at two packaging and testing plants in Shenzhen, China and Bouscura, Morocco. This phased success is part of ST's layout of a more advanced, cost-effective 8-inch SiC mass production plan; ST is implementing a plan to build a new silicon carbide substrate factory and internally purchase silicon carbide substrates to account for more than 40% (by 2024).

It is reported that ST's first batch of 8-inch SiC wafers are of very high quality, with very low defects in chip yield and crystal bit errors. The low defect rate is attributed to ST Silicon Carbide Company (formerly Norstel, acquired by ST in 2019)’s deep accumulation of R&D technology in SiC silicon ingot growth technology. In addition to the wafers meeting strict quality standards, upgrading to 8-inch SiC wafers also requires upgrading manufacturing equipment and supporting ecosystems. ST is working with upstream and downstream technology manufacturers in the supply chain to develop exclusive manufacturing equipment and production processes.

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