Israeli chip manufacturer Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (Nasdaq: TSEM; TASE: TSEM), which markets under the name, TowerJazz, has agreed a deal with Japanese company Great Wall Semiconductor Inc. Tower reported that Great Wall has completed a process transfer to TowerJazz Panasonic Semiconductor Co. (TPSCo) to manufacture its family of LFET (linear field effect transistor) products to be used for the lithium-ion battery market.
A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery with the highest electrochemical potential. Some benefits of using lithium-ion batteries include higher current density, low self-discharge rates, and minimal maintenance costs. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in the consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, and power grid and renewable energy sectors. According to a report by Research and Markets, the global market for lithium-ion batteries is a fast growing one and is expected to reach $30 billion by 2020.
Great Wall CEO Samuel Anderson said, “We chose to work with TPSCo as TowerJazz is a recognized market leader in process transfer capabilities and are known for the quality of their technical teams and transfer methodologies. We look forward to further collaboration and a strong alignment on future products and technology including our DC to DC products for the Cloud Computing and Enterprise markets.”
TPSCo CEO Guy Eristoff said, “By utilizing our TOPS process transfer services, Great Wall Semi will be able to quickly ramp volume production of their LFET products which will enable fast time to market and assist them in gaining market share and end market traction. We look forward to more product engagements in the future utilizing additional platforms offered by all of TowerJazz’s global sites. Our geographic proximity to Great Wall Semi’s key suppliers will also facilitate faster response for their customers."
“There is excellent collaboration between our two companies and we are pleased to offer Great Wall Semi with both specialty TowerJazz and TPSCo technologies and capabilities,” said Zmira Shternfeld-Lavie, VP of Process Engineering R&D and GM of TOPS™ at TowerJazz.
TowerJazz’s TOPS business model enables customers to transfer their process flows into TowerJazz’s worldwide manufacturing facilities, providing them with needed capacity, manufacturing flexibility and competitive cost. TowerJazz’s best in class technology transfer team offers know-how in diverse technologies and the ability to adapt business models and production flows to its customers’ requirements, providing them with a great time to market advantage and major growth opportunities.
Tower Semiconductor's CEO is Russell Ellwanger.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 17, 2015
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2015