Soitec appoints CEA-Leti CEO to head SiC Program
Emmanuel Sabonnadière joins in new position to launch manufacturing and industrialisation of SIC SmartCut technology
Soitec, a Grenoble-based developer of innovative semiconductor materials, has appointed Emmanuel Sabonnadière, until now CEO of CEA-Leti, as new VP of its SiC Program, effective 1st July 2021. The newly created position reports to Bernard Aspar, COO and Head of Global Business Units at Soitec.
Microelectronic devices based on SiC substrates have numerous significant advantages. They boost the energy efficiency of existing and future automotive and industrial applications; they drive the electrification of vehicles, support the development of cutting-edge on-board chargers and charging stations, and enable the installation of advanced industrial renewable energy systems. Soitec’s SmartCut SiC substrates will enable new levels of device performance and accelerate the adoption of SiC in automotive and other markets.
Before joining Soitec, Emmanuel Sabonnadière was CEO of CEA-Leti, a globally renowned technology research institute belonging to the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). Before, he served in executive positions at Philips Lighting (later called Signify), Gimv, a European investment firm, and General Cable Europe. He started his career at Schneider Electric, Alstom/ Areva, and the manufacturing group NKM/ Noell.
“With his profound experience in industry, business and technology, with his impressive global profile and his leadership skills, Emmanuel is a perfect fit for Soitec to drive our promising SmartCut SiC technology and conquer new markets,” said Bernard Aspar, COO and head of Global Business Units at Soitec. “Emmanuel has the intimacy with our local ecosystem and our customers worldwide to lead this development, launch manufacturing and drive the industrialisation of our SiC program.”
“I am excited and honored to join Soitec in this period of growth,” said Emmanuel Sabonnadière. “Soitec’s technology is a powerful motor to fuel new businesses and launch innovative and disruptive applications in the automotive and industrial markets. Soitec is well placed to capture the growing demand for smart semiconductor substrate solutions. I am looking forward to bringing Soitec’s SiC solutions to market fruition quickly and thank CEA-Leti for its reliable and long-standing support.”
