Samsung Starts GaN Power Mass Production
Samsung said it will start mass production of GaN power semiconductors, expanding its foundry capabilities and citing AIXTRON equipment in the process — a push that could ease supply for higher-efficiency power components. This matters for power-supply and motor-drive parts that are increasingly demanded by EVs and data centers. (x.com)
Samsung has begun operating an 8‑inch (200mm) GaN power‑semiconductor foundry line, with full‑scale production targeted for the second quarter of 2026. (THE ELEC — ) Industry sources say Samsung has already secured at least one customer for the GaN line while projecting initial foundry revenue below 100 billion won. (THE ELEC — ) Samsung reports it will manufacture its own epitaxial (epi) wafers for GaN production and has developed mass‑production‑ready epi wafers rather than sourcing them externally. (THE ELEC — ) Samsung installed one to two Aixtron MOCVD systems at its Giheung plant in Q2 2024, likely the G10‑GaN class of tools, as an initial equipment step toward ramping GaN capacity. (AlphaBiz — MWB Research PDF — ) Reports from 2023 indicate Samsung discussed procuring 30–40 Aixtron MOCVD units in earlier talks, although recent public reporting shows only the small initial installation to date. (AlphaBiz — MWB Research PDF — ) Domestic rival DB HiTek is expected to start GaN foundry mass production in the second half of 2026, described as one to two quarters behind Samsung, while SK Keyfoundry is targeting GaN but with no near‑term mass‑production timetable. (THE ELEC — ) Samsung is also preparing a silicon carbide (SiC) power‑semiconductor foundry with a full‑service offering covering design through packaging for 1,200–1,700V products, contrasting with the turnkey, design‑excluded model it is using for GaN. (THE ELEC — ) Aixtron has joined a 300mm GaN power‑electronics program with its Hyperion 300mm GaN MOCVD tool, signaling industry momentum toward 300mm GaN development that could shape future wafer‑supply dynamics for power device makers. (AIXTRON press release — imec press release — )
