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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Joon Hyun] SK Group is facing growing criticism after announcing plans to begin mass production of power semiconductors through its foundry unit, despite internal concerns that its current technology remains far below commercially viable yield levels.
According to an Exclusive report by AlphaBiz on December 4, SK Group plans to push ahead with SiC-based power semiconductor production through its subsidiary SK Key Foundry and pursue designation as a national strategic project operator.
Last month, SK Key Foundry publicly stated its intention to begin SiC (silicon carbide) power semiconductor foundry production in the first half of next year.
However, a source familiar with SK Group’s internal situation said the company does not yet possess the technology required for commercial-scale foundry operations.
“Key Foundry does not have the technological capability to start SiC foundry production next year,”
the source said.
“Its subsidiary SK Powertech only achieved around a 20% yield last year.”
Industry experts note that a 20% manufacturing yield in 2024 is considered laboratory-level performance, far from the level required for mass production.
SK Powertech was acquired in 2022, with SK investing roughly 120 billion won in stake acquisition and capital increases to support its entry into the SiC semiconductor field. Even at the time of acquisition, many industry observers questioned the strategic rationale due to the company’s underdeveloped technology.
Yoon Yong-pil, a visiting professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, criticized the accelerated timeline:
“Announcing mass production plans with a 20% yield is unrealistic,” he said.
“It appears SK Group rushed to align with the government’s push for SiC national strategic projects starting next year.”
He added that SK may be aiming to receive government funding or to signal alignment with the administration’s industrial policy, but stressed that:
“If taxpayer money is involved, SK must demonstrate a concrete roadmap showing how it will invest significant capital and resources to elevate its SiC manufacturing capability to global standards.”
In response to the controversy, SK Key Foundry explained:
“The SiC market is still in its early stages,” the company said.
“We are currently in the development phase before mass production, so yield figures cannot be evaluated yet.”
Alphabiz 이준현 기자(wtcloud83@alphabiz.co.kr)
