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Soitec announced consolidated revenue of 121 million Euros for the first quarter of FY’25 (ended June 30th, 2024), down 23% on a reported basis compared with 157 million Euros achieved in the first quarter of FY’24. This reflects a 24% decline at constant exchange rates and perimeter and a slightly positive currency impact of 1%.
Pierre Barnabé, Soitec’s CEO, commented: “The low point reached in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2025 was anticipated and is in line with our expectations, in a challenging market environment. The absorption of our customers’ RF-SOI inventories is progressing and should be completed towards the end of the first half of our fiscal year 2025. Beyond this quarter, the gradual recovery in RF-SOI deliveries and the continued growth of our increasingly diversified product portfolio will underpin the revenue increase throughout the second part of fiscal year 2025. We therefore reiterate our full year guidance.
Looking ahead, Soitec’s organic growth will be underpinned in all three of its end markets by increasingly powerful megatrends: 5G expansion and the continued premiumization of smartphones, the ongoing digitization and electrification of the automotive sector, the proliferation of edge AI devices, and the expansion of cloud AI computing power capabilities in a more sustainable way. Our innovation and industrial roadmaps are designed to reinforce our leadership in SOI while accelerating the diversification of our portfolio of engineered substrates with new compound semiconductors, beyond SOI.”
Original – Soitec
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Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) reported second quarter revenue of $3.82 billion, net income of $1.13 billion and earnings per share of $1.22. Earnings per share included a 5-cent benefit for items that were not in the company’s original guidance.
Regarding the company’s performance and returns to shareholders, Haviv Ilan, TI’s president and CEO, made the following comments:
- “Revenue decreased 16% from the same quarter a year ago and increased 4% sequentially. Industrial and automotive continued to decline sequentially, while all other end markets grew.
- “Our cash flow from operations of $6.4 billion for the trailing 12 months again underscored the strength of our business model, the quality of our product portfolio and the benefit of 300mm production. Free cash flow for the same period was $1.5 billion.
- “Over the past 12 months we invested $3.7 billion in R&D and SG&A, invested $5.0 billion in capital expenditures and returned $4.9 billion to owners.
- “TI’s third quarter outlook is for revenue in the range of $3.94 billion to $4.26 billion and earnings per share between $1.24 and $1.48. We continue to expect our effective tax rate to be about 13%.”
Original – Texas Instruments
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NXP Semiconductors N.V. reported financial results for the second quarter, which ended June 30, 2024.
“NXP delivered quarterly revenue of $3.13 billion, consistent with our guidance, with all our focus end-markets performing in-line with our expectations. With our second quarter results and guidance for the third quarter NXP has successfully navigated the cyclical trough in our businesses and we expect to resume sequential growth. We continue to manage what is in our control enabling NXP to drive resilient profitability and earnings in a challenging demand environment,” said Kurt Sievers, NXP President and Chief Executive Officer.
Key Highlights for the Second Quarter 2024:
- Revenue was $3.13 billion, down 5% year-on-year;
- GAAP gross margin was 57.3% , GAAP operating margin was 28.7% and GAAP diluted Net Income per Share was $2.54;
- Non-GAAP gross margin was 58.6%, non-GAAP operating margin was 34.3%, and non-GAAP diluted Net Income per Share was $3.20;
- Cash flow from operations was $761 million, with net capex investments of $(184) million, resulting in non-GAAP free cash flow of $577 million;
- During the second quarter of 2024, NXP continued to execute its capital return policy with the payment of $260 million in cash dividends, and the repurchase of $310 million of its common shares. The total capital return of $570 million in the quarter represented 99% of second quarter non-GAAP free cash flow. On a trailing twelve month basis, capital return to shareholders represented $2.4 billion or 81% of non-GAAP free cash flow. The interim dividend for the second quarter 2024 was paid in cash on July 10, 2024 to shareholders of record as of June 13, 2024. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, between July 1, 2024 and July 19, 2024, NXP executed via a 10b5-1 program additional share repurchases totaling $69 million;
- On April 9, 2024, NXP announced the 5nm S32N55 processor, the first device in the S32N family of vehicle super-integration processors. As the heart of the recently announced S32 CoreRide central compute solution, it offers scalable combinations of safe, real-time and applications processing to address automakers’ diverse central compute needs;
- On June 4, 2024, NXP announced a collaboration with ZF Friedrichshafen AG (“ZF”), a global leader in e-mobility, on next-generation SiC-based traction inverter solutions for electric vehicles (EVs). ZF will adopt NXP’s advanced GD316x high-voltage isolated gate drivers, to accelerate the adoption of 800-V and SiC power devices for next generation all electric vehicles; and
- On June 5, 2024, NXP and Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp. (“VIS”) announced the plan to create a manufacturing joint-venture VisionPower Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Pte Ltd (“VSMC”) which will build a new 300mm semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility in Singapore. The joint-venture fab will support 130nm to 40nm mixed-signal, power management and analog products, targeting the automotive, industrial, consumer and mobile end markets. The underlying process technologies are planned to be licensed and transferred to the joint venture from TSMC.
Original – NXP Semiconductors
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onsemi has signed a multi-year deal with Volkswagen Group to be the primary supplier of a complete power box solution as part of its next-generation traction inverter for its Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). The solution features silicon carbide-based technologies in an integrated module that can scale across all power levels – from high power to low power traction inverters to be compatible for all vehicle categories.
“By offering a complete power system solution that encompasses the entire power sub-assembly, we provide Volkswagen Group with a single, simplified modular and scalable platform that maximizes efficiency and performance for their vehicle lineup,” said Hassane El-Khoury, president and CEO of onsemi. “This new approach allows for the customization of power needs and the addition of features for different vehicles without compromising on performance, all while reducing cost.”
Based on the EliteSiC M3e MOSFETs, onsemi’s unique power box solution can handle more power in a smaller package which significantly reduces energy losses. The inclusion of three integrated half-bridge modules mounted on a cooling channel will further improve system efficiency by ensuring heat is effectively managed from the semiconductor to the coolant encasement.
This leads to better performance, improved heat control, and increased efficiency, allowing EVs to drive further on a single charge. By using this integrated solution, Volkswagen Group will be able to easily transition to future EliteSiC-based platforms and remain at the forefront of EV innovation.
“We are very pleased to have onsemi as a strategic supplier for the power box of the traction inverter for our first tranche in the SSP platform. onsemi has convinced us with a deeply verticalized supply chain from the growth of the raw material up to the assembly of the power box,” said Mr. Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Extended Executive Committee Group Procurement and Member of the Board Volkswagen Brand for “Procurement”.
Mr. Till von Bothmer, Senior Vice President VW Group Procurement for Powertrain added, “On top of the verticalization, onsemi has furthermore provided a resilient supply concept with regional silicon carbide fabs across Asia, Europe and the U.S. In addition, onsemi will continuously provide the latest SiC generation to ensure competitiveness.
Volkswagen Group will also benefit from onsemi’s planned investment to expand its silicon carbide manufacturing in the Czech Republic. The investment would establish an end-to-end production facility in Europe for the traction inverter power system. The proximity of onsemi’s facility would fortify Volkswagen Group’s supply chain while improving logistics and allowing for faster integration into the manufacturing process.
Original – onsemi
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Infineon Technologies AG announced that its CoolSiC™ 2000 V modules have been selected by Daihen Corporation for their innovative unit-type power conditioners for grid storage batteries. In the journey towards reducing carbon emissions, both grid storage batteries and the power conditioners that are linked to them play a vital role in facilitating the wider adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power generation.
There has been an increasing demand for higher voltage storage batteries and power conditioners to enhance the effectiveness of power generation, storage, and transmission. Moreover, with the expansion of storage battery systems on a larger scale, finding suitable locations and minimizing construction costs have emerged as significant challenges.
The unit-type power conditioner for grid storage batteries launched by Daihen in March 2024 is the first product in the industry to achieve connection to storage batteries at a high DC link voltage of 1500 V. The higher voltage enables the product to be used with large-capacity storage battery facilities, which has resulted in a 40% reduction in the footprint of grid storage batteries compared to the conventional product.
The high power density is achieved by using Infineon’s 62 mm CoolSiC MOSFET 2000 V module (FF3MR20KM1H). In addition to the characteristics of SiC that enable high voltage, better thermal dissipation and high power density, Infineon’s SiC products feature M1H trench technology that increases the gate drive voltage range and provides high robustness and reliability against gate voltage spikes. Infineon was the pioneer in the industry to introduce the 2000 V class for a SiC module. This innovation has been instrumental in simplifying the inverter circuit configuration. Furthermore, the optimized 62 mm package has led to a substantial reduction in system size, contributing to enhanced efficiency and performance.
Mr. Akihiro Ohori, General Manager, Development Department, Energy Management System Division, Daihen, said, “In order to increase the voltage of power conditioners, the circuit configuration of conventional 1200 V devices had become complicated. However, by adopting Infineon’s 2000 V SiC modules, we were able to achieve a simplified circuit configuration and control design, thereby reducing development resources and the footprint.”
Masanori Fujimori, Marketing Director of the Industrial & Infrastructure Segment at Infineon Technologies Japan, said, “We are very pleased that our pioneering CoolSiC 2000 V module has contributed to the development of the industry’s highest power density power conditioners for grid storage batteries. We believe that Infineon’s SiC technology will address the need for higher efficiency in energy storage systems and will greatly contribute to the growth of renewable energy.”
Original – Infineon Technologies
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Power Master Semiconductor has released 2nd generation of the 1200V eSiC MOSFET to meet the requirements of higher efficiency, high power density, robust reliability, and ruggedness in various applications such as DC EV charging stations, solar inverters, energy storage systems (ESS), motor drives and industrial power supplies. 1200V eSiC MOSFETs offer significant system advantages such as higher power density, efficiency and less cooling effort due to its much lower power losses.
Therefore, SiC MOSFETs are gaining popularity especially for renewable energy systems, EV charging systems that required higher power density, efficiency and robustness. DC EV charging station is level-3 charger and its power level is increasing by modular configuration as demand of faster charging time and higher battery capacity of EV. DC EV charging provides a mostly constant current output for wide DC output voltage range (200V to 900V) and load profile.
The new generation of 1200V eSiC MOSFET, Gen2 improved key FOM characteristics such as gate charge (QG), stored energy in output capacitance (EOSS), reverse recovery charger (QRR) and output charge (QOSS) by up to 30% compared to previous generation. This new generation SiC MOSFET technology offers significant system advantages such as smaller, lighter, higher efficiency, and less cooling effort thanks to its much lower power losses in various power conversion applications.
1200V eSiC MOSFET Gen2 offer excellent switching performance and 100% tested avalanche capability. It achieved 44% lower switching loss compared to the previous generation by extremely low miller capacitance (QGD).
Power Master Semiconductor is steadfastly committed to developing cutting-edge power device solutions that prioritize efficiency and sustainability,” said Namjin Kim, Sr. Director Sales & Marketing. “The introduction of our new generation of 1200V eSiC MOSFET marks a substantial leap forward in facilitating the development of cleaner, more efficient power systems. We are confident that the 1200V eSiC Gen2 MOSFET will play a transformative role in high-performance applications.
Original – Power Master Semiconductor
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In the face of escalating climate crises and a dramatic rise in global energy demands, governments and industries are committing to ambitious climate goals aimed at mitigating environmental impact and securing a sustainable future. Key to these efforts is the transition to electrification to reduce carbon emissions and embrace renewable energy resources.
In a significant step towards accelerating this global transition, onsemi introduced its latest generation silicon carbide technology platform, EliteSiC M3e MOSFETs. The company also disclosed plans to release multiple additional generations through 2030.
“The future of electrification is dependent on advanced power semiconductors. Today’s infrastructure cannot keep up with the world’s demands for more intelligence and electrified mobility without significant innovations in power. This is critical to the ability to achieve global electrification and stop climate change,” said Simon Keeton, group president, Power Solutions Group, onsemi. “We are setting the pace for innovation, with plans to significantly increase power density in our silicon carbide technology roadmap through 2030 to be able to meet the growing demands for energy and enable the global transition to electrification.”
The EliteSiC M3e MOSFETs will play a fundamental role in enabling the performance and reliability of next-generation electrical systems at lower cost per kW, thus influencing the adoption and effectiveness of electrification initiatives. With the ability to operate at higher switching frequencies and voltages while minimizing power conversion losses, this platform is essential for a wide range of automotive and industrial applications such as electric vehicle powertrains, DC fast chargers, solar inverters and energy storage solutions.
Additionally, the EliteSiC M3e MOSFETs will enable the transition to more efficient, higher-power data centers to meet the exponentially increasing energy demands that power a sustainable artificial intelligence engine.
Through onsemi’s unique design engineering and manufacturing capabilities, the EliteSiC M3e MOSFETs achieve a significant reduction in both conduction and switching losses on the trusted and field-proven planar architecture. Compared to previous generations, the platform can reduce conduction losses by 30% and turn-off losses by up to 50%.
By extending the life of SiC planar MOSFETs and delivering industry-leading performance with EliteSiC M3e technology, onsemi can ensure the robustness and stability of the platform, making it a preferred choice for critical electrification applications
The EliteSiC M3e MOSFETs also offer the industry’s lowest specific on-resistance (RSP) with short circuit capability which is critical for the traction inverter market that dominates SiC volume. Packaged in onsemi’s state-of-the-art discrete and power modules, the 1200V M3e die delivers substantially more phase current than previous EliteSiC technology, resulting in approximately 20% more output power in the same traction inverter housing. Conversely, a fixed power level can now be designed with 20% less SiC content, saving costs while enabling the design of smaller, lighter and more reliable systems.
Additionally, onsemi provides a broader portfolio of intelligent power technologies including gate drivers, DC-DC converters, e-Fuses and more to pair with the EliteSiC M3e platform. The end-end onsemi combination of optimized, co-engineered power switches, drivers and controllers enable advanced features via integration, lowering overall system cost.
Global energy demands are projected to soar over the next decade, making the need for increased power density in semiconductors paramount. onsemi is leading innovation across its silicon carbide roadmap – from die architectures to novel packaging techniques – that will continue to address the general industry demand for increased power density.
With each new generation of silicon carbide, cell structures will be optimized to efficiently push more current through a smaller area, increasing power density. When coupled with the company’s advanced packaging techniques, onsemi will be able to maximize performance and reduce package size.
By applying the concepts of Moore’s Law to the development of silicon carbide, onsemi can develop multiple generations in parallel and accelerate its roadmap to bring several new EliteSiC products to market at an accelerated pace through 2030.
“We are applying our decades of experience in power semiconductors to push the boundaries of speed and innovation in our engineering and manufacturing capabilities to meet the rising global energy demands,” said Dr. Mrinal Das, senior director of technical marketing, Power Solutions Group, onsemi. “There is a huge technical interdependency between the materials, device and package in silicon carbide. Having full ownership over these key aspects allows us to have control over the design and manufacturing process and bring new generations to market much faster.”
The EliteSiC M3e MOSFET in the industry-standard TO-247-4L package is now sampling.
Original – onsemi
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Infineon Technologies AG has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amkor Technology, Inc. with a joint commitment to stimulate decarbonization and sustainability strategies across the supply chain.
Expanding their partnership towards sustainability is the next step in the sustainability journey of both companies. Infineon and Amkor intend to fully leverage their classical Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) business relationship in order to effectively tackle emissions along their supply chain. In April, both companies announced to operate a dedicated packaging and test center at Amkor’s manufacturing site in Porto, Portugal.
As part of the cooperation for climate protection, Infineon and Amkor will actively engage with common suppliers to help them develop and implement effective decarbonization strategies. This will involve workshops, meetings, and the sharing of best practices and learnings related to decarbonization. The aim is to identify areas for improvement and support suppliers in setting science-based emissions reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative. Both companies are committed to providing ongoing guidance, fostering exchange, and tracking progress to drive continuous improvement across the common supply chain.
“Infineon has made excellent progress towards its aim to become CO 2-neutral for scope 1 and 2 by 2030, as the company more than halved its emissions while doubling the revenue since 2019. Supply-chain-related Scope-3-emissions represent the highest share of total emissions at Infineon and are the hardest ones to minimize,” said Angelique van der Burg, Chief Procurement Officer at Infineon. “That makes it even more important to include them in our efforts. But no one can do it alone. We need to actively collaborate and drive innovation with our suppliers if we want to effectively reduce CO 2 emissions. This is of ample importance not only for Infineon and Amkor, but also for society at large. Therefore, we are happy to join forces with Amkor on this.”
“Amkor is excited to deepen its partnership with Infineon through this strategic collaboration. Addressing Scope 3 is the most challenging part of the decarbonization journey, and we anticipate mutual benefits from this collective work in undertaking the challenge,” said Giel Rutten, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amkor. “This initiative is pivotal in achieving Amkor’s goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 by strengthening supply chain engagement through joint efforts. We look forward to collaborating with suppliers and invite them to join our endeavor to set ambitious science-based targets. Together, we are committed to driving positive environmental impact across our value chain.”
To support Infineon’s science-based target commitment and enhance the collaboration with suppliers, Infineon introduced a supplier engagement program in 2023. Since then, the company has been working with more than a hundred suppliers to set and implement science-based targets. The partnership between Amkor and Infineon provides an impetus for the strategy of both companies to make science-based targets the standard for ambitious climate strategies in the semiconductor industry.
Original – Infineon Technologies
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Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH added two new 150V N-channel power MOSFET products based upon their latest generation U-MOS X-H Trench process. The TPH1100CQ5 and TPH1400CQ5 devices are designed specifically for use in high-performance switching power supplies, such as those used in data centres and communication base stations as well as other industrial applications.
With a maximum drain-source voltage (VDSS) rating of 150V and drain current (ID) handling 49A (TPH1100CQ5) and 32A (TPH1400CQ5), the new devices feature a maximum drain-source on-resistance RDS(ON).
The new products offer improved reverse recovery characteristics that are critical in synchronous rectification applications. In the case of TPH1400CQ5, the reverse recovery charge (Qrr) is reduced by approximately 73% to 27nC (typ.) and the reverse recovery time (trr) of 36 ns (typ.) is approximately 45% faster compared with Toshiba’s existing TPH1400CQH, which offers the same voltage and RDS(ON).
Used in synchronous rectification applications, the TPH1400CQ5 reduces the power loss of switching power supplies and helps improve efficiency. If the device is used in a circuit that does not operate in reverse recovery mode, the power loss is equivalent to that of the TPH1400CQH.
When used in a circuit that operates in reverse recovery mode, the new products reduce spike voltages generated during switching, helping to improve EMI characteristics of designs, and reducing the need for external filtering. The devices are housed in a versatile, surface-mount SOP Advance(N) package measuring just 4.9mm x 6.1mm x 1.0mm.
To support designers, Toshiba has developed a G0 SPICE model for rapid verification of the circuit function as well as highly accurate G2 SPICE models, for accurate reproduction of transient characteristics.
Shipments of the new devices start today, and Toshiba will continue to expand their lineup of power MOSFETs that help improve equipment efficiency.
Original – Toshiba
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GlobalWafers Co., Ltd. announced that GWC subsidiaries, GlobalWafers America (GWA) and MEMC LLC, have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) with the U.S. Department of Commerce for up to $400 million in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act to support GWC’s construction of advanced silicon wafer manufacturing facilities in Sherman, Texas and St. Peters, Missouri.
When complete, the Sherman, Texas complex will be the first fully integrated advanced silicon wafer production line built in the United States in over 20 years. GWA President Mark England remarked, “With the support of the Biden Administration, we are honored to be bringing to American shores the world’s most cutting-edge 300mm semiconductor wafer technology, filling what the White House has called a “key vulnerability” within the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. GlobalWafers is fully committed to the U.S. market, and we are excited to be playing a defining role in the nation’s semiconductor rebirth.”
With this proposed investment, GWA will also become a key node in Texas’s rapidly developing Silicon Prairie ecosystem. England added, “The state of Texas and the North Texas Texoma region have welcomed GWA with open arms and investment incentives. We are proud to reciprocate their hospitality by bringing to Sherman 1200 construction jobs and 750 high paying manufacturing jobs ranging from production operators to technicians and engineers between now and 2026.” As the only confirmed advanced node wafer manufacturer now investing in the United States, GWA will reduce the United States’ complete dependence on overseas manufacturing facilities to provide wafers for advanced chips.
Already home to semiconductor pioneer Texas Instruments (TI), the GlobalWafers investment will help make North Texas the most unique semiconductor ecosystem in the country as headquarters to the nation’s leading analogue and embedded semiconductor company AND home to the country’s only 300-mm silicon wafer manufacturer for advanced chips. TI Vice President of Worldwide Procurement and Logistics Rob Simpson congratulated both GlobalWafers and the U.S. Department of Commerce on this announcement, noting: “TI welcomes the investment in GlobalWafers America in North Texas, as it will be a very meaningful addition to the growing semiconductor ecosystem here.”
“Texas continues to lead the country as the Best State for Business,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Companies like GlobalWafers America – the only advanced node wafer manufacturer in the U.S. – are investing in Texas because of our world-class business climate, business-friendly regulations, and young, growing, and highly skilled workforce. GlobalWafers is a crucial partner in our efforts to remain the nation’s No. 1 state for semiconductor manufacturing, and I thank them for choosing North Texas for their new facility.”
In support of national economic and resilience objectives, GWC is committed to developing in the United States a broad range of next-generation wafer technology. This includes establishing a Research and Development Center of Excellence in Sherman as well as building the United States’ only 300-mm manufacturing facility for advanced Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) wafers at GWC’s MEMC LLC subsidiary in St. Peters, Missouri where the project brings an additional 500 construction jobs and 130 high quality manufacturing jobs.
As the only U.S. source of 300-mm SOI wafers, the MEMC investment will add a new level of resilience to the U.S. supply chain. On this point, Ashlie Wallace, Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain at GlobalFoundries observed, “GlobalFoundries applauds the proposed CHIPS direct funding to GlobalWafers, a longstanding strategic partner of ours which provides an important domestic supply of silicon wafers critical for the essential semiconductors we manufacture.” Wallace added, “Federal investments across the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem are strengthening our industry and the supply chains that are vital to our customers and the economy.”
Noting the significance of this proposed funding to U.S. supply chain resilience efforts, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, “President Biden is restoring our leadership in the entire semiconductor supply chain – from materials to manufacturing, to R&D. With this proposed investment, GlobalWafers will play a crucial role in bolstering America’s semiconductor supply chain by providing a domestic source of silicon wafers that are the backbone of advanced chips. As a result of this proposed investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is helping to secure our supply chains, which will create over 2,000 jobs across Texas and Missouri and ultimately lower costs and improve economic and national security for Americans.”
In addition to the direct grant funding announced today, GWC plans to apply for the U.S. Treasury Department’s Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC) of up to 25% of qualified expenditures at the GWA and MEMC LLC facilities.
From Hsinchu, Taiwan, GlobalWafers Chairwoman and CEO Doris Hsu expressed her personal thanks to the U.S. Congress, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Treasury for CHIPS Act support: “Thanks to U.S. Government support, GlobalWafers is pleased to be a key node in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. I’d like to particularly thank Secretary Raimondo for her partnership and vision throughout this journey. From day one, her encouragement gave me confidence that U.S. Government support for our investment would be significant and strategic to U.S. objectives.”
As a key ESG imperative, GlobalWafers companies across the globe practice green manufacturing and constantly seek to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and air pollution control. When at full ramp, GWC’s new and expansion facilities in Sherman and St. Peters will recycle up to half of the water used in production and have forward plans to utilize 100% renewable energy to manufacture the world’s most advanced silicon wafers. The GlobalWafers family of companies is committed to reducing our environmental footprint to the fullest extent possible.
GlobalWafers Co., Ltd., the world’s third largest supplier of semiconductor wafers, maintains 18 manufacturing and operational sites spanning three continents and nine countries. The company is a global leader in semiconductor technology, providing innovative and advanced technology solutions to leading chip manufacturers to transform lives around the world.
Original – GlobalWafers
