Sino-American Silicon Products Group (SAS) recently announced that its subsidiary, GlobalWafers, has entered a strategic partnership with Apple to target the US market jointly. The collaboration aims to strengthen GlobalWafers' position within Apple's supply chain, especially in advanced 12-inch wafer production.
GlobalWafers' US arm, GlobalWafers America (GWA), will work closely with Apple to better understand customer requirements, enabling more precise alignment with Apple's needs. While the agreement remains informal at this stage, GWA is preparing to ramp up production capacity, with a new facility in Texas expected to commence operations between the second half of 2025 and the first half of 2026. However, GlobalWafers chairman Doris Hsu noted that initial capacity may not immediately reflect increased demand, as new applications still require certification from Apple and its chip suppliers.
Currently, over 80% of GWA's US plant capacity is allocated under long-term contracts, indicating strong and stable localized demand. GWA remains open to further capacity expansions, provided they ensure profitability and continued customer support amid market volatility. GlobalWafers' product range extends across various wafer sizes and types, including advanced technologies such as silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and compound semiconductors. The company aims to deepen collaboration with Apple to encompass these specialized wafer segments, including silicon-on-diamond (SD) technologies.
Strategic growth amid market challenges and sustainability commitments
In parallel with its partnership initiatives, GlobalWafers continues advancing its position in compound semiconductors. Despite the slow recovery of the broader market and intense price competition in China's electric vehicle sector—factors that have pressured some silicon carbide (SiC) manufacturers—GlobalWafers is emphasizing the development of 8-inch SiC wafers focused on improved cost competitiveness. Its gallium nitride (GaN) wafer production is already fully underway, with plans to increase capacity by approximately 30% before the end of 2025 to address growing demand.
The company also responded to the effects of the current international trade landscape. The 20% reciprocal tariffs on Taiwanese exports to the US have resulted in increased costs, which GlobalWafers plans to pass on to customers. Nonetheless, it has reported no cancellations or delays of orders so far, suggesting a stable supply chain and resilient global operations.
On environmental sustainability, GlobalWafers is committed to achieving RE100—using 100% renewable electricity—by 2050. Hsu acknowledged the challenge this presents for Taiwanese businesses but emphasized that Sino-American Silicon Products Group has begun organizational restructuring to prepare for the energy transition. The company positions itself as a potential key industry player in driving the shift toward sustainable and renewable energy use.
Article translated by Jingyue Hsiao and edited by Jack Wu
