DB HiTek Co., an 8-inch specialty foundry, said it is in the final development stages of its 650-volt gallium nitride (GaN) high-electron mobility transistor process, positioning the South Korean specialty foundry to expand its reach in next-generation power semiconductors.
The company said Tuesday the technology will be paired with a dedicated multi-project wafer (MPW) program launching at the end of October, allowing customers to validate and prototype designs on the platform.
GaN devices are seen as critical alternatives to traditional silicon-based semiconductors, offering higher efficiency under demanding conditions such as high voltage, frequency, and temperature. DB HiTek’s 650V E-mode GaN HEMT promises high-speed switching and operational stability, targeting markets ranging from electric vehicle charging infrastructure and data center power conversion to advanced 5G networks.
DB HiTek began investing in GaN and silicon carbide in 2022, citing them as long-term growth drivers for the power semiconductor industry. The company, already recognized for silicon-based processes such as its 0.18µm BCDMOS platform, expects the GaN addition to broaden its technology portfolio.
Following the 650V launch, DB HiTek plans to introduce a 200V GaN process and a 650V process optimized for integrated circuits by 2026, with a longer-term goal of developing a broader GaN voltage spectrum aligned with market demand.
To support growth, DB HiTek is expanding Fab 2, its production facility in Chungcheongbuk-do. The cleanroom upgrade will add capacity for about 35,000 8-inch wafers a month, raising the company’s total monthly output by 23% to 190,000 wafers. The expansion will support GaN, BCDMOS, and SiC production.
DB HiTek will also showcase progress at the International Conference on Silicon Carbide and Related Materials (ICSCRM) 2025 in Busan this month, highlighting GaN, SiC, and BCDMOS developments to global customers and partners.
“By adding GaN process capabilities, we are enhancing competitiveness with a broader technology portfolio,” a DB HiTek spokesperson said.
