LX Semicon 打包出售 60 余项 SiC 专利，收尾退出碳化硅业务，预计回款不足 10 亿韩元

LX Semicon is selling its patents related to silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors, marking the final stage of its exit from the SiC business.
According to industry sources on Oct. 13, LX Semicon has put more than 60 patents covering SiC devices and epitaxial wafers up for sale. Rather than selling them individually, the company is offering the patents in package bundles. The entire portfolio is expected to fetch less than 1 billion won.
The device patents cover SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) technologies, including planar and trench gate structures, termination, and gate pads. Patents related to epitaxial wafers are also included. An epitaxial wafer is produced by growing a thin crystalline layer on a SiC wafer, with semiconductor devices fabricated in that layer. The patents were filed in South Korea, the U.S., China, Europe, Japan, and Taiwan, with patent terms extending until up to 2045. A domestic power semiconductor company has been selected as the preferred negotiating partner.
LX Semicon entered the SiC business in 2021 by acquiring device manufacturing equipment and patents from LG Innotek. Then-Chief Executive Officer Son Bo-ik initiated the move to diversify the company's business portfolio, which was heavily reliant on display driver integrated circuits (DDIs).
However, the company's strategy shifted after Lee Yun-tae took over as CEO in late 2023. Growth in the SiC market slowed amid stagnating electric vehicle demand. LX Semicon subsequently reduced the size of its SiC research and development organization in 2024.
At its annual general meeting in March, LX Semicon added the transfer, assignment, and licensing of technology, know-how, and intellectual property, along with related businesses, to its stated business objectives. A company official said at the time that the change was intended to streamline its operations.
LX Semicon has pursued various new businesses to reduce its reliance on DDIs, with mixed results. It began mass production of heat-dissipation substrates in April 2024. Its microcontroller units (MCUs), initially supplied for home appliances, have more recently been delivered to Hyundai Motor and Kia, according to sources. The company is also reported to be discussing supply arrangements with Hanwha. The SiC business is now being wound down through the patent sale. A power device joint venture established with Japan's Sanken Electric (Advanced Power Device Technology) was also liquidated in the first half of this year.
The company's revenue has continued to decline. Annual sales fell for three consecutive years, from 2.1193 trillion won in 2022 to 1.9014 trillion won in 2023, 1.8656 trillion won in 2024, and 1.6391 trillion won in 2025. Revenue for the first half of this year dropped 7.6% from a year earlier to 789.9 billion won, while operating profit fell 39% to 42.6 billion won. DDIs still account for over 86% of total revenue.
LX Semicon is also facing challenges after losing DDI orders for major customers to Taiwan's Novatek, according to industry sources.