How Will SK keyfoundry’s Acquisition of SK Powertech Influence the Global SiC Supply Chain?

On November 12, SK keyfoundry—an 8-inch wafer foundry in Korea—announced the completion of its acquisition of SK Powertech. The move strengthens SK keyfoundry’s position in SiC power semiconductors and expands its existing 8-inch capacity, which supports DDI, MCU, and power-discrete devices with a monthly output of around 100,000 wafers.
SK Powertech, formerly YesPowerTechnics, brings mature SiC device processes and volume-production experience, with products used in EVs, solar inverters, home appliances, motor drives, and smart-grid equipment. After integrating the company, SK keyfoundry plans to introduce a 1200V SiC MOSFET process by the end of 2025 and launch SiC foundry services in the first half of 2026—further building its next growth engine in wide-bandgap power devices.

Q1: Why does this acquisition attract so much industry attention?

Because the acquisition gives Korea a fully connected SiC capability for the first time.
Before the deal, SK Group already owned valuable SiC assets—substrates (SK Siltron), device processes (SK Powertech), 8-inch manufacturing (SK keyfoundry), and fast-charging systems (SK Signet)—but they operated as separate units. Consolidation brings these strengths into one coordinated ecosystem.

In SiC manufacturing, material quality, device architecture, and wafer processing must work together. When a company aligns the full chain, it gains a real chance to scale SiC power-device production. This shift marks an important milestone in the global expansion of third-generation semiconductors.

Q2: SK keyfoundry focused on DDI, MCU, MOSFET, and IGBT production. Why expand into SiC?

Because this direction extends SK keyfoundry’s core strengths rather than replacing them.

SK keyfoundry runs a mature 8-inch platform that produces MOSFETs, IGBTs, TVS diodes, and various mixed-signal products. These businesses grow steadily but face limited headroom. SiC, on the other hand, has become one of the fastest-growing segments in power semiconductors—especially in OBCs, traction inverters, industrial drives, and energy-storage converters, where 650V and 1200V SiC MOSFETs and SiC SBDs increasingly replace silicon devices.

Since SK keyfoundry already understands power-device fabrication and operates a large 8-inch fab, integrating SK Powertech’s SiC process allows it to enter the SiC foundry market with far less risk and a much shorter ramp-up period.

Q3: Why does the industry place so much emphasis on 1200V SiC MOSFET production?

Because 1200V has become the core voltage class in many high-power systems.

EV traction inverters, PV inverters, industrial servo drives, and motor-control systems all need devices that maintain efficiency and reliability at high voltages. Silicon IGBT performance plateaus in these environments, while 1200V SiC MOSFETs deliver higher switching speeds, lower losses, and better thermal behavior.

However, achieving reliable 1200V production requires tight control of defects, gate-oxide stability, and electric-field management. A company that masters 1200V SiC MOSFETs essentially earns entry into the automotive and renewable-energy supply chain.

SK keyfoundry targets late 2025 for its 1200V SiC MOSFET process and 2026 for SiC foundry services—one major reason the acquisition generates strong interest.

Q4: Why does Korea step up its effort in third-generation semiconductors at this moment?

Because the global market enters a phase where industrialization matters more than proof-of-concept.

Demand for SiC devices rises rapidly as EVs transition to 800V platforms and PV, ESS, and industrial systems push for higher efficiency. SiC has moved beyond niche applications; it now stands at the center of next-generation energy and mobility systems.

Korean companies built solid foundations in substrates, LEDs, and silicon-based power devices, but lacked a unified SiC production platform. By consolidating design, process, and 8-inch manufacturing, SK keyfoundry creates a complete SiC pathway at a moment when the global market urgently needs scalable, high-quality capacity.

Q5: What does this acquisition mean for the global SiC supply chain?

It helps the industry shift toward a more resilient and better-balanced supply structure.

For years, SiC manufacturing relied on a small number of players, leaving the supply chain vulnerable to bottlenecks, long lead times, and limited flexibility. SK keyfoundry introduces an additional, scalable foundry option—something the industry needs as SiC demand accelerates.

Two effects stand out:

1. Stronger supply resilience

Manufacturers of 1200V SiC MOSFETs, SiC SBDs, and SiC power modules can diversify their foundry choices instead of depending on a narrow set of fabs.

2. Faster progress toward 8-inch SiC

SK keyfoundry’s 8-inch experience supports the global migration from 6-inch to 8-inch SiC, helping improve future yield, cost structures, and volume scalability.

For downstream companies, this means more reliable availability and a more predictable SiC supply outlook over the next few years.

Q6: From a global perspective, how does SK keyfoundry’s entry reshape the overall ecosystem?

It expands the ecosystem instead of disrupting it.

The SiC market faces rapid demand growth in EVs, PV inverters, ESS converters, and industrial equipment. In this environment, the key challenge is not market share but whether global capacity can scale fast enough.

SK keyfoundry adds a new, stable manufacturing route for SiC MOSFETs, SBDs, and power modules. Companies gain more flexibility in sourcing strategies, lead-time planning, and long-term portfolio design. Differences in wafer size, process approach, and end-market focus across regions also create complementary strengths—helping the supply chain grow with better stability and lower systemic risk.

In short, SK keyfoundry strengthens the global SiC network at a time when the industry needs broader and more distributed production capability.

Q7: What does this mean for engineers and procurement teams?

Engineers will see more component choices and a more stable supply base.

For example, systems that rely on:

• 650V / 1200V SiC MOSFETs
• SiC SBDs for PFC stages
• full-bridge or half-bridge SiC power modules
• high-voltage synchronous-rectification devices

will benefit from additional production routes and reduced lead-time volatility.

Design teams can plan SiC adoption more confidently—whether upgrading OBCs to full-SiC PFC structures or moving PV and ESS systems toward 1200V SiC full-bridge architectures. Procurement teams gain clearer cost visibility and a more diversified risk structure as the global SiC supply chain broadens.

Conclusion

SK keyfoundry’s acquisition of SK Powertech marks a significant step in the global expansion of SiC power-device manufacturing. By combining process know-how with 8-inch capacity, SK strengthens its position in wide-bandgap power semiconductors and brings new momentum to the worldwide SiC supply chain. As more scalable foundry options emerge, SiC MOSFETs and SiC power modules will move into mass-market applications with greater stability and faster growth across EVs, renewables, and industrial power systems.