STMICROELECTRONICS SILICON CARBIDE AB

Their core work

STMicroelectronics Silicon Carbide AB (formerly Norstel) is a Swedish manufacturer of silicon carbide (SiC) wafers and substrates, a critical material for high-performance power electronics. They produce SiC crystal substrates used in power semiconductors for electric vehicles, smart grids, and industrial automation. As part of the STMicroelectronics group, they operate at the upstream end of the European SiC supply chain, growing and processing the raw wafer material that enables energy-efficient power conversion devices. Their H2020 work has focused on scaling SiC wafer production from research-grade to industrial pilot-line capacity, including Europe's first 8-inch SiC wafer pilot line.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their trajectory shows a clear shift from upstream R&D toward industrial-scale production and value chain integration. The earliest project (OSIRIS, 2015) focused on optimizing SiC substrates for microwave and power circuits — essentially materials science research. By 2018-2023, REACTION moved them into manufacturing scale-up with Europe's first 8-inch SiC pilot line, and TRANSFORM (2021-2024) positioned them within a complete European SiC value chain targeting high-growth applications like electric mobility and smart grids. The funding pattern confirms this: contributions grew from €170K to €1.27M as their role expanded from substrate supplier to strategic European supply chain participant.

They are moving decisively from laboratory-scale SiC crystal growth toward becoming a key node in Europe's sovereign supply chain for wide-bandgap power semiconductors, with direct applications in electrification and decarbonization.

How they like to work

They participate exclusively as a partner, never coordinating — consistent with a materials supplier contributing specialized manufacturing capability to larger industry-driven consortia. With 71 unique partners across 16 countries in just 3 projects, they operate in very large consortia (typical of ECSEL/Key Digital Technologies programs), meaning they are comfortable in complex multi-stakeholder environments. Their role is that of a specialist contributor providing upstream SiC wafer expertise rather than leading project direction.

Despite only 3 projects, they have collaborated with 71 unique partners across 16 countries — a reflection of their participation in large ECSEL-type semiconductor consortia that span the European electronics ecosystem. Their network likely includes major European semiconductor manufacturers, equipment suppliers, automotive OEMs, and research institutes.

What sets them apart

They are one of very few European producers of SiC wafer substrates — a material that is critical for next-generation power electronics but overwhelmingly sourced from the US and Asia. This makes them strategically important for European semiconductor sovereignty. For consortium builders, they offer something rare: actual manufacturing capability for wide-bandgap semiconductor materials on European soil, not just research expertise.

Highlights from their portfolio

• REACTION
  Established Europe's first 8-inch silicon carbide pilot line — a milestone in reducing European dependency on non-EU SiC wafer suppliers.
• TRANSFORM
  Their largest funded project (€1.27M) addressing the full European SiC value chain for e-mobility and smart grids, signaling their strategic importance in green electrification.