Consortium Rescues Caracal Inc. from Bankruptcy to Focus on R&D and Cost Efficient Manufacturing
Source/Type: Reported News

Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

October 1, 2008... Caracal Inc., a maker of silicon carbide wafers was rescued from Chapter 7 bankruptcy last month after an international consortium purchased the company. Caracal went into Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April after a $1.2 million per year contract from the U.S. Navy was not renewed. (Ref: Editorial). One of the companies in the consortium, Osaka New Metals and Chemicals Corp., Ltd. of Japan, is listed as one of the contacts for Caracal located in Heritage and Technology Industrial Park of Ford City, Pennsylvania USA. Caracal describes the the purchasing consortium as stable and strong with a long-term outlook. A representative of the consortium indicated that it planned to focus on research and development especially in creating more cost efficient manufacturing methods.

Caracal insists that all of its assets remain intact despite the recent bankruptcy filing. The company says that it will continue to develop its gas-based crystal growth process and chlorinated epitaxial process, which it says can grow high quality epitaxial layers at very high growth rates 10 to 20 times faster than conventional growth techniques (more than 100µm/hr, compared to 5–10µm/hr for conventional chemistry). Caracal also points out that it will continue to offer grinding and slicing services for a number of its customers. Company Website

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