On the 22nd, the world's largest automotive semiconductor corporation, Germany's Infineon Technologies, held its first annual technology cooperation forum, 'October Tech Seoul 2025,' in Korea and announced collaborations with LG Electronics, Hanwha NxMD, and others. Founded in Germany in 1999, Infineon leads the world in automotive power semiconductors, microcontroller units (MCUs), sensor semiconductors, and more.
Andreas Urschitz, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Infineon, noted during a press conference held at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, that "Korea, which is rapidly growing in the semiconductor sector, is an important place for innovation and a key growth market for Infineon" and said, "We plan to strengthen collaboration with Korean corporations going forward."
◇ Various collaborations with Korean corporations… Developing technologies in the electric vehicle and energy sectors
Infineon announced that it is collaborating with LG Electronics in the software-defined vehicle (SDV) sector. They are jointly developing a cross-domain controller (xDC) platform, which integrates and optimizes various systems within the vehicle using Infineon's advanced semiconductor technologies, as well as zone control devices that manage specific areas in the vehicle and high-performance computing (HPC) platforms. Infineon stated, "We will advance SDV technologies through LG Electronics' electrical technology and Infineon's semiconductor technology, enhancing the safety and intelligence of vehicles."
Infineon has also established a partnership with Hanwha NxMD in the field of automotive wireless connectivity solutions. By applying Infineon's 'AIROC Wi-Fi-Bluetooth combo solution' to Hanwha NxMD's wireless communication modules and equipping them in cockpit domain controllers (CDCs), they aim to achieve fast and reliable wireless connections. This module has been praised for its compact size and excellent performance, evaluated as the optimal solution by global vehicle parts companies. The two companies plan to expand their business and seek additional collaboration opportunities through this partnership.
Infineon emphasized its ongoing collaborations with various Korean corporations, including Hyundai Motor and Kia, and LS ELECTRIC. Hyundai Motor and Kia have been receiving sensor semiconductors and power semiconductors since the 2000s, and in October 2023, they signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Infineon. They are currently working together on technological development to enhance the power performance of electric and hybrid models. With LS ELECTRIC, they are collaborating in the energy storage system (ESS) and smart grid sectors.
◇ Producing GaN chips based on 12-inch wafers... "Opportunities for Korean automotive companies"
At the event, Urschitz CMO revealed a wafer (semiconductor disc) that applies the industry's first 300 mm (12-inch) power gallium nitride (GaN) technology. The larger the wafer size, the more chips can be produced at once, enhancing productivity, but currently, Infineon is the only company producing power semiconductors with 300 mm wafers instead of 200 mm (8-inch).
Urschitz CMO explained, "Making GaN chips using 300 mm wafers is an innovation in the power semiconductor market" and added, "GaN semiconductors are highly energy-efficient and can be miniaturized, making them applicable in various fields such as electric vehicles, data centers, robotics, and drones." He mentioned, "GaN technology will provide new opportunities for Korean automotive companies," emphasizing that applying GaN semiconductors in electric vehicles allows for longer driving ranges on a single charge, which is attracting significant interest in the automotive industry.
Infineon is in the process of converting its 300 mm wafer production facility in Kulim, Malaysia, into a GaN wafer production facility to supply to companies like Hyundai Motor. Earlier this year, Infineon received the 'Technology 5-Star' certification from Hyundai Motor as part of its excellent partnership certification evaluation system.
Although the electric vehicle market is experiencing a chasm (temporary downturn), Infineon projects that the automotive semiconductor market will recover soon. Lee Seung-soo, President of Infineon Korea, stated, "Currently, there are many worries about the electric vehicle chasm, but the possibility of a rebound in the short term is very high" and added, "I firmly believe that we will return to a normal trajectory within 1 to 2 years."
The motto promoted by Infineon is "decarbonization" and "digitalization." The company plans to expand the supply of semiconductors that maximize energy efficiency not only in automotive semiconductors but also in energy, AI data centers, and more. Urschitz CMO remarked, "In the fossil era, gas, coal, and other resources were primary materials, but in the clean era we are about to create, semiconductors will be the new gold mine." He added, "While semiconductors are essential in the clean era, their production processes consume resources. Therefore, Infineon plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated during semiconductor production and aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030."