Navitas Licenses Silicon Carbide Tech to Magnachip for High-Voltage Power
Agreement grants South Korean chipmaker access to GeneSiC Gen 4 and Gen 5 platforms across 1200V to 3300V ratings, backed by Navitas supply chain.
Navitas Semiconductor and Magnachip have entered a technology licensing agreement that grants Magnachip access to Navitas' GeneSiC Gen 4 and Gen 5 silicon carbide platforms, the companies announced. The license covers a range of voltage ratings from 1200 V through 3300 V and higher, supported by Navitas' established supply chain and materials ecosystem.
The deal positions Magnachip to expand its power semiconductor portfolio in high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage applications, a segment experiencing demand across industrial, renewable energy, and automotive sectors. By licensing rather than developing proprietary SiC technology from scratch, Magnachip gains faster market entry into performance tiers where silicon carbide offers thermal efficiency and power density advantages over conventional silicon devices.
Navitas' GeneSiC platform has already achieved deployment in commercial products, meaning Magnachip gains access to a technology with established process maturity and supply chain validation. The materials ecosystem component of the agreement addresses a critical bottleneck in SiC manufacturing—sourcing and managing the specialized substrates and precursors required for reliable production at scale.
For Navitas, the licensing arrangement represents a revenue-generating pathway for its SiC intellectual property while expanding the geographic and market reach of GeneSiC technology. For Magnachip, the partnership de-risks entry into a market segment where design cycles are lengthy and process yields historically challenging. The agreement suggests confidence that Magnachip's existing semiconductor manufacturing footprint can accommodate GeneSiC's process requirements.
The timing reflects accelerating industry consolidation around silicon carbide platforms. Companies that lack proprietary SiC technology are increasingly turning to licensing models rather than attempting internal development, a trend driven by the specialized materials science and process engineering required for competitive voltage ratings and reliability targets.
The partnership signals Magnachip's strategic intent to compete in the growing market for power devices rated above 1200 V, where applications including data center power conversion, grid-connected solar inverters, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure are expanding.