SiC Market Soars Towards $9 Billion: EVs and High-Power Chargers Drive Growth

Strategic Shift to 8-Inch Wafers: Opportunities and Challenges Shape SiC's Next Phase

According to Yole, the Silicon Carbide (SiC) market is on a robust trajectory, poised to reach nearly $9 billion by 2028, driven by a dynamic blend of growth factors. The automotive sector, particularly Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and 800V EV systems, spearheads this expansion. SiC's prominence extends to EV DC chargers, offering immense potential for high-power modular chargers. Additionally, SiC plays a pivotal role in energy supply, with installations expected to surge between 2022 and 2028. Industrial power supplies, motor drives, and rail systems further diversify SiC's applications. This Yole report underscores SiC's prowess in high-efficiency power electronics across industries, shaping a transformative market landscape.

The report indicates that as of 2023, the mainstream SiC wafer size for leading players is still 6 inches. However, there are strategic discussions and plans surrounding the transition to 8-inch (200 mm) SiC wafers. While Wolfspeed is currently the only player producing SiC devices on the 8-inch platform, other companies have announced their intention to follow suit. The adoption of 8-inch wafers presents both opportunities and challenges.

Challenges associated with 8-inch wafer production include higher costs, longer equipment lead times, potentially lower initial yield rates due to the larger size, and concerns about the availability of these wafers. Wolfspeed's early adoption of 8-inch wafer production reflects their proactive stance in developing the technologies and processes required to overcome these challenges.

The transition to 8-inch wafers is an area of focus due to the potential advantages it offers, such as increased capacity and improved cost efficiency over time. However, the challenges mentioned earlier are critical factors that need to be addressed for a successful transition. Companies are investing in innovative approaches and strategies to ensure a smooth migration to the 8-inch platform, which has the potential to impact the SiC power devices market significantly in the coming years.

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