14 SIC POWER ELECTRONICS INITIATIVE https://www.heraeus-electronics.com/en/ Issue 1 2026 Power Electronics Europe www.power-mag.com FastLane By Dirk Brauer, Research & Innovation Director at Valeo eAutomotive Germany GmbH; Dr. Sebastian Fritzsche, Manager Technology Scouting at Heraeus Electronics GmbH & Co. KG As the global electronics industry undergoes a seismic shift toward sustainability, efficiency, and sovereignty, Silicon Carbide (SiC) is emerging as the cornerstone of next-generation power electronics. At the heart of this transformation is FastLane—a three-year European funded project launched in 2024, uniting 29 partners across seven countries to redefine the SiC value chain from raw materials to system-level demonstrators. Led by Valeo and supported by the EU, FastLane is more than a research project— it’s a strategic blueprint for Europe’s technological resilience. Its mission: to boost energy efficiency, reduce CO 2 emissions, and strengthen EU sovereignty. This article focusses on the key packaging material innovations such as metal ceramic substrates (silver free AMB), bonding wires, die top system and sinter paste. This project enables highly reliable, costeffective and high performance SiC power modules. FastLane - Boosting EU material value chain for SiC power electronics Dirk Brauer, Research & Innovation Director at Valeo eAutomotive Germany GmbH; Dr. Sebastian Fritzsche, Manager Technology Scouting at Heraeus Electronics GmbH & Co. KG The global electronics industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the demand for higher efficiency, environmental sustainability, and strategic autonomy. In this evolving landscape, Silicon Carbide (SiC) has emerged as a key enabler of nextgeneration power applications. To harness its full potential, the European FastLane project, launched in 2024, supports EU independence in critical raw materials while developing an independent SiC raw material and device supply chain and broadening SiC functionalities to overcome current limitations. A Pan-European Effort to Reshape Power Electronics FastLane is a three-year initiative co-funded by the European Union, bringing together 29 partners from seven countries, including leading research institutions, specialized SMEs, and major industrial players. Under the coordination of Valeo, the consortium aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of power electronics by developing a robust, independent SiC supply chain— from raw materials to system-level demonstrators. By leveraging economies of scale, FastLane drives cost-efficient energy conversion applications, strengthening Europe’s technological and economic resilience in power electronics. The project’s comprehensive structure spans multiple work packages and collaborative efforts, covering the entire SiC power electronics value chain. This includes material development, device fabrication, packaging innovations, and final system integration. Left Source: Adobe Stocks, modified by Heraeus Electronics Below: Overview Project Partners in the Consortium Source: FastLane Project
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