SEMIKRON DANFOSS ELEKTRONIK GMBH & CO. KG

Their core work

Semikron Danfoss is a major German manufacturer of power semiconductor modules and systems, specializing in silicon carbide (SiC) power electronics for electric mobility, smart grids, and industrial automation. They produce inverters and power modules used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and industrial drives. Within EU research, they contribute manufacturing expertise and power electronics know-how to projects advancing European semiconductor independence and next-generation drivetrain technologies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Semikron Danfoss began its H2020 participation focused on digitizing semiconductor manufacturing through Industry 4.0 concepts — big data, industrial internet, and smart production (SemI40, 2016). By 2017-2021, they shifted toward product-level innovation with SiC-based inverters for electric vehicle drivetrains (DRIVEMODE). Their most recent project (TRANSFORM, 2021-2024) signals a strategic move toward building a trusted European SiC semiconductor value chain, combining their manufacturing and product expertise into a supply-chain sovereignty agenda.

Moving from internal manufacturing digitization toward securing Europe's SiC power semiconductor supply chain — aligning with EU strategic autonomy priorities in chips and green mobility.

How they like to work

Semikron Danfoss consistently participates as a partner rather than leading consortia, bringing industrial manufacturing capacity and power electronics expertise to large collaborative projects. With 80 unique partners across 11 countries in just 3 projects, they operate in large consortia (typical for ECSEL/KDT-type semiconductor projects). This makes them an accessible partner — they are experienced in multi-partner coordination and bring a strong industry voice without demanding the coordinator role.

Despite only 3 projects, Semikron Danfoss has built a wide network of 80 partners across 11 countries, reflecting their participation in large-scale European semiconductor and automotive consortia. Their network is heavily European, spanning major industrial economies.

What sets them apart

Semikron Danfoss is one of Europe's few large-scale power semiconductor module manufacturers, giving them a rare combination of R&D capability and volume production capacity. They bridge the gap between semiconductor research and industrial deployment — a critical role in projects that need to demonstrate manufacturability, not just lab-scale prototypes. For consortium builders, they bring credibility with end-use industries (automotive, energy, industrial) and direct access to the European power electronics supply chain.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TRANSFORM
  Directly addresses European SiC semiconductor sovereignty — a high-priority strategic topic post-EU Chips Act, positioning Semikron Danfoss at the center of supply chain security.
• DRIVEMODE
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 903K) and focused on mass-manufacturable SiC inverters for electric vehicles — bridging research with industrial-scale production.
• SemI40
  Large-scale ECSEL project on semiconductor manufacturing 4.0, demonstrating Semikron's commitment to modernizing European chip production infrastructure.