The Confidence of the Wide Band Gap (WBG) Industry

In a competitive landscape, Yole Développement points out the serenity of the Wide Band Gap (WBG) market and the confidence of its players: WBG companies are slowly but surely reshaping the industry and accelerate the market adoption with numerous strategic mergers and acquisitions (Cree, Infineon Technologies…) and the development of disruptive solutions…

In its latest technology and market analysis entitled "GaN & SiC for power electronics applications", the "More than the Moore" company highlights the different strategies defined by the leaders. Infineon Technologies ensures the development of its WBG activities with the introduction of a new Gallium Nitride (GaN) segment: the company acquired International Rectifier in January 2015. Few months later, Cree announced the willingness to spin out its power and RF activities and acquired the US-based company APEI to strengthen its position in SiC based power electronics. Yole also lists huge investments that have been done by the WBG companies. Latest examples are:

- Exagan, that raised US$ 6.5 million in first-round financing, to produce high-speed power switching devices on 200mm wafers, based on GaN technologies.

- And Transphorm with its US$ 70 million investment round led by global investment firm KKR. WBG companies are so moving in the right direction to overcome the remaining technical challenges and confirm their confidence in these new solutions.