Wolfspeed and ZF are planning a joint research and development centre for silicon carbide power electronics in the Nuremberg metropolitan region. The development site is to complement the planned silicon carbide chip factory in Saarland – but like the factory, it is still subject to an important proviso.

The new facility is supported by the German government and the Bavarian state government. Like Wolfspeed’s planned silicon carbide chip factory in Ensdorf, Saarland, in which ZF has a financial stake, funding for the new R&D centre is still subject to approval under the EU’s Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) programme.

The prior approval of the competent authorities, in particular the antitrust authorities, is also required.

According to the ZF release, work in the Nuremberg metropolitan region is to begin as soon as the IPCEI funding approval for both projects is received, which is expected to happen later this year.

The declared aim of the two companies is to develop the development centre together with the factory “into the hub of a European silicon carbide network”.

At the development centre, ZF and Wolfspeed want to “significantly improve” the technology with regard to system design, module structure and production processes. Silicon carbide systems, products and applications are to be developed there that cover the entire value chain from module to complete system, thus significantly shortening the time to market.

Applications beyond EVs

However, the focus is not only on the use of SiC semiconductors in electric cars, but also on applications in commercial, agricultural and industrial vehicles, as well as with the industrial and renewable energy markets.

“Wolfspeed’s silicon carbide expertise and ZF’s access to all mobility segments allows for a fast and seamless transition of new technologies,” ZF says.