Navitas Semiconductor (NASDAQ: NVTS) has announced plans to start production and continue development of best-in-class 200mm GaN-on-silicon technology through a strategic partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC). This move is expected to strengthen the supply chain, drive innovation, and improve cost efficiency, supporting GaN's ramp into AI data centers, EVs, solar, and home appliances.
The partnership will see Navitas' GaN IC portfolio utilizing Powerchip’s 200mm in fab 8b, located in Hsinchu, Taiwan, which has been operational since 2019 and supports various high-volume manufacturing processes for GaN. Powerchip’s capabilities include an improved 180nm CMOS process, offering smaller and more advanced geometries, which bring improvements in performance, power efficiency, integration, and cost.
Dr. Sid Sundaresan, SVP of WBG Technology Platforms at Navitas, highlighted that "200mm GaN-on-silicon production on a 180nm process node enables us to continue innovating higher power density, faster, and more efficient devices while simultaneously improving cost, scale, and manufacturing yields."
Powerchip is expected to manufacture Navitas’ GaN portfolio with voltage ratings from 100V to 650V, supporting the growing demand for GaN for 48V infrastructure, including hyper-scale AI data centers and EVs. Qualification of initial devices is expected in Q4 2025. The 100V family is expected to start production first at Powerchip in 1H26, while the company expects 650V devices will transition from Navitas’ existing supplier, TSMC, to Powerchip over the next 12-24 months.
Navitas has recently made several announcements in the AI data center, EV, and solar markets, including collaborations with Nvidia to support GaN and SiC technologies for 800V HVDC architectures for 1 MW IT racks and beyond. Enphase also announced that its next-generation IQ9 would include Navitas’ 650V bi-directional GaNFast ICs, and Changan Automobile announced its first commercial GaN-based OBC (on-board charger) using Navitas' GaNSafe technology.
Gene Sheridan, CEO and Co-Founder of Navitas, expressed pride in the partnership with Powerchip, stating, "Through our partnership with Powerchip, we are well-positioned to drive sustained progress in product performance, technological evolution, and cost efficiency."
Martin Chu, President and Director at Powerchip, also emphasized the commitment to expanding cooperation and continuously supporting Navitas in exploring and growing the GaN market, stating, "Powerchip is committed to expanding our cooperation and continuously supporting Navitas in exploring and growing the GaN market."
These developments mark significant progress for Navitas Semiconductor, demonstrating its dedication to driving innovation, efficiency, and performance in the power semiconductor industry. As a result of these announcements, the company's shares have moved -4.28% on the market, and are now trading at a price of $6.27. Check out the company's full 8-K submission here.
