Pohang City to Become 'Next-Generation Vehicle Power Semiconductor Hub'... Leap to Power Semiconductor Industry Ecosystem Base City

Fostek Nano Convergence Technology Institute Collaborates to Foster Strategic Semiconductor Sector

Selected as Final Winner for 'Establishing Manufacturing Process Infrastructure for Automotive Power Semiconductors' Competition

Pohang City to Become a Hub for Next-Generation Automotive Power Semiconductors.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Pohang City, Gyeongbuk, has been finally selected for the ‘Wide Bandgap Material-Based Vehicle Power Semiconductor Manufacturing Process Infrastructure Project’ by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Last year, the government announced on March 11 a short-term supply response for automotive semiconductors and an industrial capability enhancement strategy to effectively respond to the global supply instability of vehicle semiconductors. On March 25, it announced plans to develop next-generation power semiconductor technology and expand production capacity, followed by the establishment of the K-Semiconductor Strategy on May 13.

Accordingly, Pohang City proactively proposed a project to the government to support the commercialization of next-generation vehicle power semiconductors based on wide bandgap materials, leveraging its experience in fostering and supporting the power semiconductor industry infrastructure. It was finally selected for the competition and will invest 13.75 billion KRW (9.25 billion KRW in national funds) to establish a next-generation vehicle power semiconductor hub.

Wide Bandgap (WBG) semiconductors are next-generation semiconductors produced from semiconductor materials such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), and gallium oxide (Ga2O3), which have a larger bandgap (the space where electrons do not exist) than silicon. Compared to conventional silicon-based semiconductors, they feature ultra-high speed, high efficiency, high temperature tolerance, and excellent performance in extreme environments.

Since 2009, the city has been nurturing the power semiconductor sector, a core component of future innovative products such as electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, as a new growth engine industry in collaboration with POSTECH Nano Convergence Technology Institute.

The Nano Convergence Technology Institute has specialized in the semiconductor field, equipped with core facilities, equipment, and dedicated personnel, supporting technology development, process services, and professional workforce training while accumulating capabilities. In 2019, it was designated by the Ministry of Science and ICT as a national research facility (N-Facility) in the advanced semiconductor field and serves as a testbed for power semiconductors.

Pohang City plans to invest a total of 13.75 billion KRW over three years from this year through 2024 to foster next-generation power semiconductors as a regional key industry. This includes introducing core process equipment to support the entire process of 8-inch wide bandgap material-based power semiconductors, establishing ▲an integrated process equipment operation line ▲standard process technology development ▲testbed construction ▲customized prototype production and technical support systems tailored to corporate demand.

Becoming the Next-Generation Hub for Automotive Power Semiconductors.

Acting Mayor Jang-sik Lee said, “We plan to build a full-cycle support platform for vehicle power semiconductors based on next-generation new materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN).” He added, “We will lead the ‘wide bandgap material-based semiconductor industry’ through ultra-wide area cooperation centered on Pohang with Gumi, Daegu, and Busan.”