Electronics – Saarbrücken – Reports: An American group plans to set up a chip factory in Saarland – Economy

Saarbrücken (dpa) – According to media reports, the American chip manufacturer Wolfspeed wants to build a large silicon carbide semiconductor plant in Saarland. Automotive supplier ZF also owns a minority stake in the plant, Handelsblatt reports. According to information from the “Saarbrücker Zeitung” and the Saarländisches Rundfunk, up to 1,000 jobs will be created. A spokesman for the Saarland state government and a ZF spokesperson did not want to comment on the reports at the weekend.

According to reports, the plant will be built on the site of a former coal-fired power station in Ensdorf. Serial production of the chips, which are mainly used in electric cars, is scheduled to begin in four years. In addition, a joint research center will be established, in which ZF will hold the majority. The automobile supplier is already producing in Saarland.

However, according to the “Handelsblatt”, there is still no commitment to government support. Subsidies are a prerequisite for commitment in Saarland. Semiconductor manufacturers usually account for 40 percent of total costs with public funds. Thus, Wolfspeed’s newest chip plant in the US costs about $2 billion. According to reports, the plant in Saarland should be much larger and therefore more expensive.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 230121-99-304490/2