Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has just partnered with the Netherlands’ Nexperia B.V. to co-develop silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors as they seek to advance in the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry and contribute to the green technology shift.
“Nexperia is a leading company in the industrial sector with proven technologies for high quality discrete semiconductors. We are delighted to enter into this co-development partnership that will leverage the semiconductor technologies of both companies.”
Masayoshi Takemi, Executive Officer and Group President, Semiconductor & Device at Mitsubishi Electric
Strategic partnership
According to the press release, the Japanese electronics and electrical equipment giant will provide the necessary SiC MOSFET chips to Nexperia.
Then, Nexperia will utilize those Mitsubishi Electric-developed chips to produce SiC discrete devices.
For context, Nexperia is a globally leading company in terms of discrete devices’ design, production, quality assurance, and supply. Its devices are applicable to various industries, including automotive, mobile, industrial, and consumer markets, significantly aiding the world’s shift to a greener future.
“This mutually beneficial strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Electric represents a significant stride in Nexperia’s silicon carbide journey. Mitsubishi Electric has a strong track record as a supplier of technically proven SiC device and modules. Combined with Nexperia’s high-quality standards and expertise in discrete products and packaging, we will certainly generate positive synergies between both companies – ultimately enabling our customers to deliver highly energy efficient products in the industrial, automotive or consumer markets they serve.”
Mark Roeloffzen, SVP & General Manager Business Group Bipolar Discretes at Nexperia
SiC power semiconductor details
The rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry has substantially boosted the SiC power semiconductor production industry.
These groundbreaking semiconductors help reduce energy loss and increase operating temperatures. It also accelerates switching speeds than the traditional silicon power counterparts.
The SiC’s high efficiency can greatly boost the global drive towards net-zero emissions and a green transition, Mitsubishi Electric asserted.
Some automakers have recently explored the semiconductor space to advance their position in the electric vehicle space, according to Teslarati. It includes Germany’s Volkswagen, which declared plans to collaborate with Tier 1 suppliers to determine the ideal semiconductors and parts for vehicles. Stellantis and Foxconn also partnered for semiconductor development for EVs.
Mitsubishi Electric aims to further solidify its collaboration with Nexperia in the future as it seeks to continuously innovate its SiC chips’ quality and performance.
