Manufacturing the future of the automotive industry

The inauguration of our new factory in France marks a pivotal moment in Soitec’s history to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to drive the electric revolution of the automotive industry. As we have grown to make our products a standard in smartphones, our ambition is now to become a new standard for the future generations of electric vehicles. Let me explain how.

Our solutions for the fast-growing electric vehicles market

Technology megatrends drive soaring demand for semiconductors and the widespread use of engineered substrates. To strengthen our leading position in the market, we have diversified our activities around three divisions: mobile communications, smart devices and automotive & industry. The opening of a new factory in our home ground of Bernin in France positions us ideally to strengthen our global leadership. Covering an area of 2,500 square meters, the plant will have the capacity to produce 500,000 SmartSiC wafers a year, ultimately creating 400 direct jobs.

"This plant, completed in record time, is the perfect embodiment of our strategy for the future, based on expanding our portfolio of products and technologies".

SmartSiC is the perfect embodiment of our sustainable growth strategy.  As future standard for electric vehicles, this cutting-edge technology is contributing to their mass adoption by improving their range and charging time and reducing their price. SmartSiC is also a more efficient and environmentally friendly material, reducing CO2 emissions associated with its manufacture by 70% compared with existing silicon carbide technologies.

Our objective: to equip the world's EVs with SmartSiC

As the automotive industry develops itself and is more electrified than ever, new car models bring more technologies on board to meet the needs of the drivers. This confirms one of the megatrends we had been betting on for a long time and that we announced as a major opportunity for Soitec’s growth on our Capital Markets Day back in June.

"We are ready more than ever to meet the growing demand for semiconductor materials to equip the next generation of electric vehicles."

Soitec’s unique technologies drive the mass uptake of electric vehicles by delivering improved range and charging times as well as ultimate affordability. Our technologies also enable energy-efficient hardware and software solutions in infotainment, safety, driving assistance and automation.

Catering to the burgeoning electric vehicle market with over 20 million units projected to be sold in 2025 and an anticipated surge to between 40 and 50 million by 2030, presents an estimated 2 to 4.5 million wafer market opportunity. Moreover, accounting for infrastructure and renewables, this market potential may extend to an impressive 6 to 7 million units. Soitec has a unique role in supporting the growth of this market.

The inauguration of this new factory dedicated to SmartSiC production is a key moment in the pursuit of our growth trajectory for years to come, and I wish to celebrate the collective success it represents, the fruit of the work of all our employees who are part of this adventure, and whom I thank for their daily commitment.

I am proud to be surrounded by people who, I am convinced, share the same care and ambition as I do for the future of Soitec.