Danfoss to supply automotive traction power modules for ZF volume production projects

Harald Deiss, Leiter ZF Business Unit Electronic Systems, Jörg Grotendorst, Leiter ZF Division E-Mobility, Kim Fausing, CEO Danfoss Gruppe, Claus A. Petersen, Leiter Danfoss Silicon Power bei der Vertragsunterzeichnung
//
Harald Deiss, Head of ZF Business Unit Electronic Systems, Jörg Grotendorst, Head of ZF Division E-Mobility, Kim Fausing CEO Danfoss Group, Claus A. Petersen, Head of Danfoss Silicon Power signing the partnership

(PRESS RELEASE) SCHWEINFURT/ NORDBORG, 14-NOV-2019 — /EuropaWire/ — ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Danfoss Silicon Power GmbH announce new partnership for silicon- and silicon-carbide power modules. The partnership aims to improve the efficiency of electric drivelines by leveraging engineering and cost benefits at the interface between power modules and inverters.

Jörg Grotendorst, Head of ZF’s E-Mobility Division, said: “This is a robust long-term partnership that enables ZF and Danfoss to pool their strengths. Coming together on this opens up significant innovation potential to improve the technical and commercial competitiveness of our inverters. We will utilize this advantage in all our drivetrain applications, from hybrid up to full electric applications.”

The partners will engage in joint research and development, with Danfoss also supplying power modules for silicon applications. In this new initiative, Danfoss was awarded supply contract for automotive traction power modules for large-scale ZF volume production projects. In addition to the 400 Volt standard applications, both companies have also begun co-developing an 800 Volt Silicon Carbide power module for a large volume production project, aiming to position themselves at the forefront of this new segment.

ZF’s E-Mobility division produces electric drive systems and components, while Danfoss Silicon power GmbH (DSP) specialises on silicon and silicon-carbide power modules. They aim to make a vital contribution to cutting vehicle emissions by joining forces to produce innovative open technology solutions for e-mobility drivelines. Power modules control the efficiency of the energy supply to the drive, battery and onboard electronics in electric and hybrid vehicles. That is why it the development of space-saving inverters and more efficient power modules is of great importance to reducing emissions over the long term.

Kim Fausing, CEO of the Danfoss Group comments: “We are proud to join this partnership with ZF. We believe this closer cooperation between Danfoss and ZF has the potential to be a game changer for the development and innovation of future drivetrains for electrification of vehicles. Together we can enable an acceleration of the transition of the transport sector.”

With the recent cooperation with semiconductor specialist Cree, Danfoss’ power modules could also use power-chips developed by ZF. As one of the leading manufacturers of electromobility solutions, ZF aims to further advance electric driveline technology through the strategic partnerships.

ZF has bundled its electromobility activities in the E-Mobility Division headquartered in Schweinfurt, Germany since January 2016. ZF’s E-Mobility Division has more than 9,000 employees, spread across various locations around the world.

For decades, Danfoss Silicon Power has been helping top tier manufacturers and system suppliers meet stringent reliability, design and cost targets by designing, developing and manufacturing customized power modules for automotive, industrial and renewable applications. Danfoss Silicon Power is a subsidiary of the Danfoss Group, the largest industrial company in Denmark.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Lautenschlager, Head of Communications E-Mobility, ZF
Friedrichshafen AG
Phone: +49 9721 98-6003, E-mail: michael.lautenschlager@zf.com

Mikkel Thrane, Head of Group Media Relations, Danfoss Silicon Power
GmbH
Phone: +45 24 76 47 96, E-mail: mikkel.thrane@danfoss.com

SOURCE: ZF Friedrichshafen AG