TOSHIBA
While Japanese firms have about a 20 percent share in the global power semiconductor market, the country's market only has relatively small players that lag behind industry giant
Under the project, Toshiba and Rohm will boost production utilizing their chip factories in Ishikawa and Miyazaki prefectures, respectively.
The two companies will focus on manufacturing the types of power semiconductors where they have competitive advantage and supply them to each other for sale under their own brands.
"We are hoping this will be the first step toward creating a world-leading chipmaker," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister
Toshiba will produce power semiconductors made of silicon, which is used in a wide range of products from cars to industrial devices, at a new plant under construction in Ishikawa, with a plan to begin sales from
Rohm will make silicon carbide chips, which have higher power efficiency, at its new plant in Miyazaki and start supplying them from
The collaboration will eliminate inefficiency in production while also increasing the global competitiveness of domestic chips, the two companies said.
Demand for power semiconductors, capable of handling high voltages and large electric currents, is expected to rise as they are being increasingly used in electric vehicles and industrial devices.
The move comes as Toshiba is set to be delisted this month after a consortium led by
==Kyodo
© Kyodo News International, Inc., source
