The supply of SiC wafers may become insufficient to satisfy demand for electric vehicles (EV) in the near future, prompting Taiwan-based silicon wafer makers including GlobalWafers, Wafer Works and Tainergy Tech to step up deployments in the new segment.

Spot market prices for SiC (silicon carbide) wafers have plunged 20% this year due to supply outstripping demand amid impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and worsening US-China trade tensions, according to industry sources.

GlobalWafers, a semiconductor silicon wafer maker, began trial production of SiC wafers in May-June 2019 and plans to start production in small volume in second-quarter 2020, according to company chairwoman Doris Hsu.

The emerging market for silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors is rapidly evolving from a startup-dominated business to one led by large-established power semiconductor manufacturers, according to Omdia.