Infineon & Bosch Sign Collaboration Contract For Power Semiconductors
Infineon Technologies AG and Robert Bosch GmbH are widening their cooperation to include power semiconductors. The collaboration between the companies has two key aspects: first, Bosch is to license from Infineon certain manufacturing processes for power semiconductors – specifically, for low-voltage power MOSFETs (metal oxide silicon field effect transistors) – along with the requisite manufacturing technologies. Second, the collaboration contract between the two companies’ includes a second-source agreement.
Parallel to Bosch’s own semiconductor manufacturing in Reutlingen, Infineon will produce components developed on the basis of these processes and will supply Bosch with these components. Going forward, the two companies will also work jointly on the development of enabling technologies for the production of power semiconductors. By working with Bosch, Infineon is not just expanding its share of the semiconductor market in the automotive segment, it will also be Bosch’s preferred supplier of power semiconductors.
According to the companies, environmental regulations and new limits on fuel consumption and carbon emissions mean that every subsystem in a motor vehicle needs to consume less energy while continuing to deliver the same, or better, performance. This calls for the development of new breeds of generators, starter-generators, engine management systems, air-conditioning systems, and power steering, for example. Power semiconductors play an important role in meeting automotive energy-saving targets. They are the components that control the power consumed by electrical loads and enable smart energy management in engines.
"We are the world leader in power semiconductors and have carved out a significant and sustainable lead in this field of technology," said Peter Bauer, spokesman for Infineon Technologies AG’s Management Board. "Together with Bosch, who are strong innovators, we want to continue to enhance the energy efficiency of electronic components in the automotive sector. Besides setting new standards in power semiconductors, a market that will grow in the long term, this collaboration will put the supply of Bosch power semiconductors on a much broader footing."
"By working with Infineon, we are strengthening our position as a manufacturer of electronic components, modules and systems for high-power control applications," said Dr. Volkmar Denner, Bosch’s Board of Management member responsible for automotive electronics. "In particular, this collaboration will enable us to expand our supply portfolio for new drive technologies in automobiles, including hybrid and purely electrical drive systems, to advance innovation, and to underscore our position as the world’s leading supplier of automotive technology."
