Semiconductor Equipment

Wolfspeed selling its RF tech to Macom

24 August 2023

Looking to prioritize its push into silicon carbide (SiC) technology as demand accelerates, Wolfspeed Inc. has signed an agreement to sell its radio frequency products to Macom Technology Solutions Holdings.

Under the $75 million cash deal, Macom will get gallium nitride (GaN) on Sic technology portfolio for next generation telecommunications infrastructure, military and other commercial applications.

Wolfspeed said due to its significant growth in automotive, industrial and renewable energy market, the time is right to focus on scaling its power device and materials businesses to meet demand. Simultaneously, it is an opportunity for Macom to grow and operate the RF business at scale.

As part of the agreement, Macom will assume control of Wolfspeed’s 100 mm GaN wafer fabrication facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. This will happen about two years following the close of the transaction, which is expected to take place by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Wolfspeed is increasing its spending on SiC. In February, Wolfspeed Inc. said it would build its first semiconductor fab in Europe, a 200 mm wafer factory for SiC devices. The fab will be built in Saarland, Germany, and is part of Wolfspeed’s broader $6.5 billion capacity expansion effort that will also see the company expand its other SiC operations in the U.S.

In July, Wolfspeed signed a 10-year wafer supply agreement with Renesas Electronics that will secure a supply of SiC bare and epitaxial wafer for Renesas. The $2 billion deal will allow Wolfspeed to scale production of SiC power semiconductors beginning in 2025. The agreement also anticipates supplying Renesas with 200 mm SiC bare and epitaxial wafers from its John Palmour manufacturing center.

To contact the author of this article, email PBrown@globalspec.com


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