Posted May 08, 2019

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Advanced manufacturing campus will accelerate industry transition from silicon to silicon carbide to meet EV and 5G market demand

* Expansion to generate up to a 30-fold increase in SiC wafer fabrication capacity and 30-fold increase in SiC materials production to meet the expected market growth by 2024
* Five-year investment leverages an existing building (“North Fab”) and refurbished 200mm equipment to build state-of-the-art automotive-qualified production facility
* Investment: $450M for North Fab; $450M for materials mega factory; and $100M in other investments associated with growing the business

As part of its long-term growth strategy, Cree, Inc. (CREE) announces it will invest up to $1 billion in the expansion of its silicon carbide capacity with the development of a state-of-the-art, automated 200mm silicon carbide fabrication facility and a materials mega factory at its U.S. campus headquarters in Durham, N.C. It marks the company’s largest investment to date in fueling its Wolfspeed silicon carbide and GaN on silicon carbide business. Upon completion in 2024, the facilities will substantially increase the company’s silicon carbide materials capability and wafer fabrication capacity, allowing wide bandgap semiconductor solutions that enable the dramatic technology shifts underway within the automotive, communications infrastructure and industrial markets.

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