Infineon is investing billions in production facilities for silicon carbide semiconductors in Malaysia. The first phase of the new plant is starting up.
Shortly after Infineon announced the elimination or relocation of a total of 2,800 jobs, the chip manufacturer plans to open a new factory in Malaysia. The first products from the Kulim plant are expected to go to customers in the fall, says Infineon CEO Rutger Wijburg. The first phase, in which Infineon is investing two billion euros, is expected to be fully up and running by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027. However, the company has already announced a further expansion of the factory in a second phase for up to five billion. The schedule is flexible here: depending on the market situation, the company can step on the gas or take it easy when ramping up.
In the new factory, Infineon is using silicon carbide as the basic material for its semiconductors. According to Wijburg, the material is particularly robust and enables particularly efficient semiconductors, but productivity is even lower with the material, so the products are more expensive. “This has added value for customers, especially when it comes to making something smaller, more efficient or more powerful,” says the manager. “If he can make the batteries smaller or have a higher energy yield, it’s worth it.” He did not reveal whether Infineon also earns more from the more expensive chips. Typical areas of application are electric cars, solar and wind power plants or AI data centers.
Source: Stern
