KULIM, Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) has officially opened the first phase of its 200-millimetre silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor fabrication facility at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP), here. The first phase of the fabrication plant involving an investment of pound 2 billion (1 euro=RM4.908) will focus on the production of silicon carbide power semiconductors, including gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxy. Infineon chief executive officer Jochen Hanebeck said the new fabrication facility will enable the company to serve a variety of markets that are expected to grow strongly in the long term. 'We have a clear vision at Infineon: Driving Decarbonisation and Digitalisation. Together. Infineon Kulim plays a significant role in fulfilling this vision. 'Once the second phase of the Kulim expansion is completed, it will be the largest and most competitive 200-millimetre silicon carbide power semiconductor fabrication facility in the world,' he said in his opening speech during the opening ceremony of I nfineon Technologies Kulim 3 at Kulim Hi-Tech Park today. The new plant was officially opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Hanebeck said the first phase of the project will create 900 high-value jobs, and for the second phase, with another pound 5 billion (RM24.4 billion) investment, a total of 4,000 jobs will be created. 'Since the demand for semiconductors will constantly rise, the investment in Kulim is highly attractive to our customers, who are backing it with their prepayments. It also increases the resilience of the supply chain for critical components needed for the green transition,' he said. Also present at the ceremony were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. Source : BERNAMA News Agency