SK Siltron Invests in Expansion of Semiconductor Wafer Production Plant in Gumi, Gyeongbuk

Rising as a Semiconductor Industry Hub Overcoming Global Shortages

Gumi City Hall, Gyeongbuk.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gumi City, Gyeongbuk Province, is rapidly emerging as a key base for semiconductor materials.

Recently, due to the global semiconductor shortage, domestic and international related companies in PCs, smartphones, servers, and automobiles are facing difficulties.

The shortage is expected to continue until 2023, leading to stock price declines and deepening concerns among companies.

SK Siltron is revitalizing Gumi by expanding its production plant for silicon carbide (SiC) wafers, a core material for power semiconductors.

On the 16th, Gyeongbuk Province and Gumi City announced that they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SK Siltron for investment to expand the SiC semiconductor wafer production plant.

The project involves investing 190 billion KRW by 2024 to establish SiC wafer manufacturing facilities within Gumi Plant 2, expected to create over 300 direct and indirect new jobs.

SK Siltron, headquartered in Gumi, is the only domestic semiconductor wafer manufacturer and the only global wafer company producing both Si and SiC wafer products.

SiC wafers are gaining attention as wafers for power semiconductors, with demand rapidly increasing due to the activation of the electric vehicle market and the expansion of 5G deployment.

Compared to conventional Si wafers, SiC wafers have superior durability and can withstand high voltage and temperature, making them a core material for next-generation power semiconductors in electric vehicles, 5G networks, and renewable energy.

In addition to SK Siltron, related companies such as Waldeks, Wonik QnC, FluorTech, KEC, and Daejin Machinery are located in the city, positioning Gumi as a future hub of the semiconductor industry.

Mayor Jang Seyong said, “We appreciate SK Siltron’s investment, which has given great strength to our citizens,” and added, “We will create an investment environment that companies want to visit and focus administrative efforts on various industrial sectors.”

Ha Daesung, Deputy Governor for Economy of Gyeongbuk Province, stated, “We will strive to create an investment environment so that Gumi can rise as a mecca of the semiconductor industry.”