The newly manufactured power semiconductors will have the potential to decarbonize in data center, industrial, and automotive sectors.
The Southeast Asian country Malaysia is getting a lot of traction for its new initiatives in the semiconductor industry. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has now revealed that the government’s strategies and incentive schemes have provided an opportunity to the German based Infineon Technology to set-up a massive manufacturing unit in the nation. Minister Ibrahim also added that Malaysia is now receiving a lot of investment opportunities from global companies and they are looking forward to expand the technology.
The manufacturing unit is backed by an investment of €7 billion ($10.1 billion) and the first phase of the factory has already started its operation in the northern Malaysian district of Kulim. PM Ibrahim stressed the importance for the universities and the local government to train the in-house talent in this industry so that Malaysia can become globally competitive like its competitors. The importance has been realized by the government after numerous nations are investing billions of dollars to grow the industry so that they can become self-reliant even when an emergency situation arises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jochen Hanebeck, CEO at Infineon told the media that the new factory in Kulim has started its operations much before the deadline and it is very likely to turn out to be the globe’s biggest silicon carbide power semiconductor manufacturing unit after the second phase starts its operation. The newly manufactured power semiconductors will have the potential to decarbonize in data center, industrial, and automotive sectors. The plant is expected to create around 4000 employment (direct and indirect) in the first phase itself.
The Infineon investment in Malaysia details the country’s capability in magnetizing foreign investments at a time when various global companies have started looking for an alternative base other than China. The nation is already known as a powerhouse in assembly and packaging. Amid the geopolitical scuffles during the pandemic between US and China, global semiconductor firms such as Intel, ASE Technology Holding and Amkor Technology have utilized the nation’s low-cost and skilled labor to grow the industry and generate more profits out of it.
