Elmos and SK keyfoundry Expand Semiconductor Partnership With 130nm Technology and Long-Term Wafer Capacity Agreement Through 2037

Elmos und SK keyfoundry Signing Ceremony

(IN BRIEF) Elmos Semiconductor SE and South Korean foundry partner SK keyfoundry have expanded their 18-year collaboration through a new agreement covering 130nm semiconductor technology and long-term wafer capacity through 2037. Signed in Frankfurt am Main, the agreement gives Elmos greater planning certainty and supply security while establishing a more advanced technology platform for future automotive electronics. SK keyfoundry’s 130nm process incorporates deep-trench isolation, enabling effective electrical separation and supporting highly integrated high-voltage designs with low substrate currents. Elmos’ first product based on the technology is the E550.01 smart 4-channel eFuse controller, designed to protect and manage multiple current paths in future zonal vehicle architectures, with samples already available and series production planned for 2027. The companies also intend to launch a compact eFlash memory cell in 2027 to provide high-performance embedded memory using minimal chip area. Elmos CEO Dr. Arne Schneider said the agreement strengthens supply reliability and long-term growth, while SK keyfoundry CEO Derek D. Lee highlighted the partnership’s focus on innovative automotive semiconductor solutions.

(PRESS RELEASE) LEVERKUSEN, 9-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Elmos Semiconductor SE and South Korean silicon foundry partner SK keyfoundry have signed a new agreement to expand their long-standing collaboration, adding a 130nm semiconductor technology platform and securing long-term wafer capacity for Elmos through 2037.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony in Frankfurt am Main and marks the next phase of a business relationship that has already spanned 18 years around SK keyfoundry’s 350nm technology.

The expanded partnership is intended to strengthen Elmos’ supply reliability, support future automotive semiconductor development and provide greater planning certainty for long-term production requirements.

Partnership expands from 350nm to 130nm technology

Elmos and SK keyfoundry have worked together for almost two decades based on 350nm semiconductor technology.

The new agreement significantly broadens this relationship by adding SK keyfoundry’s 130nm platform, giving Elmos access to a more advanced technology base for future automotive electronics products.

The 130nm process includes deep-trench isolation, which enables effective electrical separation within the semiconductor structure.

This capability is particularly relevant for highly integrated high-voltage designs because it can help reduce substrate currents while supporting more complex functionality on a single chip.

Elmos said the technology provides a strong foundation for the development of a broad range of new products.

Long-term wafer capacity secured through 2037

A central element of the agreement is the long-term allocation of wafer production capacity to Elmos.

By securing additional capacity through 2037, Elmos aims to improve visibility over future semiconductor supply and support its continued growth in automotive electronics.

The arrangement also gives the company greater planning certainty when developing new products and preparing future series-production programmes.

For automotive semiconductor suppliers, where product lifecycles and customer programmes can extend over many years, predictable manufacturing capacity is an important element of supply continuity.

Smart 4-channel eFuse controller becomes first 130nm product

Elmos’ first product based on the new 130nm technology platform is the E550.01 smart 4-channel eFuse controller.

The device is designed to provide intelligent protection and control for multiple electrical current paths and is intended to support emerging zonal vehicle architectures.

Zonal architectures consolidate electrical and electronic functions around defined areas of a vehicle and are becoming increasingly important as automotive manufacturers develop more centralized and software-oriented electrical systems.

Initial samples of the E550.01 are already available, with series production scheduled to begin in 2027.

New eFlash memory technology planned for 2027

Elmos and SK keyfoundry also plan to jointly introduce a new highly space-efficient eFlash memory cell in 2027.

The technology is intended to provide high-performance embedded memory functionality while requiring an exceptionally small amount of chip area.

Reducing memory footprint can support higher levels of semiconductor integration and enable additional functionality without proportionally increasing die size.

The planned eFlash solution will therefore complement the broader capabilities of the 130nm platform and support future generations of automotive semiconductor products.

SK keyfoundry highlights shared focus on automotive innovation

Derek D. Lee, Chief Executive Officer of SK keyfoundry, said the expansion into 130nm technology reflects the companies’ shared objective of developing innovative and reliable semiconductor solutions for automotive electronics.

He said SK keyfoundry’s technology platform provides a strong technical foundation for the next stage of the partnership.

The expanded collaboration combines SK keyfoundry’s foundry capabilities with Elmos’ expertise in mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for automotive applications.

Elmos strengthens supply reliability and long-term growth platform

Dr. Arne Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of Elmos Semiconductor SE, described SK keyfoundry as a reliable and innovative partner with whom Elmos has developed a successful long-term relationship.

He said the new agreement establishes a strong basis for future cooperation and that the additional wafer capacity will provide planning certainty through 2037.

According to Schneider, the capacity agreement also supports Elmos’ supply reliability and future growth as demand for increasingly sophisticated automotive semiconductor solutions develops.

130nm platform supports more highly integrated automotive electronics

The move to the 130nm platform gives Elmos greater flexibility to develop more highly integrated products for future electrical and electronic vehicle architectures.

Features such as deep-trench isolation, high-voltage design capability and the planned compact eFlash memory architecture can help support semiconductor solutions combining control, protection and memory functions within increasingly space-constrained automotive applications.

The agreement therefore strengthens both the manufacturing and technology dimensions of the Elmos-SK keyfoundry relationship.

Elmos Semiconductor SE
Ralf Hoppe, CIR (Corporate Investor Relations, Communications & ESG)
Mobile: +49 151 5383 7905
Email: invest[at]elmos.com

About Elmos
Elmos has been developing intelligent microchip solutions for over 40 years, primarily for the automotive industry. As a fabless company and specialist for analog mixed-signal ICs, Elmos makes the mobility of the future safer, more comfortable and more efficient. The innovative products of Elmos enable reliable driver assistance systems, intelligent sensors, efficient motors and new LED lighting concepts in modern vehicles. As a market leader in cutting-edge applications, Elmos is powering global megatrends such as autonomous driving, electromobility and software-defined vehicles.

About SK keyfoundry
Headquartered in Korea, SK keyfoundry provides specialty Analog and Mixed-Signal foundry services for semiconductor companies to serve a wide range of applications in the consumer, communications, computing, automotive and industrial industries. With a broad range of technology portfolios and process nodes, SK keyfoundry has the flexibility and capability to meet the ever-evolving needs of semiconductor companies across the globe.

Note
This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions and estimates made by the Elmos management. Even though we assume the underlying expectations of the forward-looking statements to be realistic, we cannot guarantee the expectations will prove right. The assumptions may carry risks and uncertainties, and as a result actual events may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause such differences are changes in general economic and business conditions, fluctuations of exchange rates and interest rates, the introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products, and changes in business strategy. Elmos neither intends nor assumes any obligation to update its statements with respect to future events.

SOURCE: Elmos