- Infineon opens new factory in Malaysia
Infineon recently announced plans to cut or relocate around 2,800 jobs, but the chipmaker is now set to open a new factory in Malaysia. The first products from the Kulim plant are expected to roll out to customers this fall, according to Infineon board member Rutger Wijburg. The first phase, which involves a €2 billion investment, is slated to be fully operational by the end of 2026 or early 2027. However, the company has already hinted at a potential second phase expansion, which could cost up to €5 billion, with a flexible timeline based on market conditions.
The new factory will focus on semiconductors made from silicon carbide, a material Wijburg describes as particularly robust and capable of producing highly efficient semiconductors. However, production rates are currently lower, making the products more expensive. "For customers, the benefit is especially evident when they need to make something smaller, more efficient, or more powerful," says the manager. "If they can make batteries smaller or achieve higher energy output, it's worth it." Wijburg doesn't comment on whether Infineon will also profit from the pricier chips. Typical applications include electric vehicles, solar and wind power plants, and AI data centers.
The new factory in Malaysia, spearheaded by Infineon, will primarily produce advanced Computers using semiconductors made from silicon carbide. Despite the initial higher costs, these highly efficient semiconductors offer significant benefits in reducing size, improving efficiency, and increasing power output in various applications such as electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and AI data centers.
