The chip group would like to strengthen its business with a takeover.
(Photo: dpa)
Munich The chip group Infineon is expanding its business with innovative power semiconductors for electrical applications with a takeover. The Canadian manufacturer GaN Systems is going to the Munich manufacturer for 830 million US dollars, Infineon announced on Thursday.
The purchase will be financed from the available liquid funds. GaN Systems is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada and employs more than 200 people. The approval of the authorities is still pending.
According to Infineon, the Canadians are among the world’s leading suppliers of gallium nitride semiconductors, which are used in chargers for electric cars or mobile devices, solar inverters or in the power supply of data centers.
Such applications are on the verge of a breakthrough and will lead to dynamic market growth, said Infineon CEO Jochen Hanebeck. Gallium nitride, together with silicon carbide, is regarded as a future technology for controlling power consumption in electric cars and charging stations, among other things.
The material can be used to reduce energy losses during charging, which show up as waste heat. Infineon is currently expanding its factory in Kulim, Malaysia, for two billion euros. Products based on silicon carbide and gallium nitride are to be manufactured in the plant. The plant is scheduled to start operation in the second half of 2024.