ABB Finalizes ADVANTICS Acquisition to Expand DC Technology Capabilities

ABB has completed its acquisition of ADVANTICS, a France-based specialist in silicon carbide (SiC) power conversion technology. The completion was announced by ADVANTICS on November 5, 2026, marking a further step in ABB’s strategy to expand its Direct Current (DC) technology portfolio and strengthen its position in high-efficiency electrical power systems.

The acquisition brings ADVANTICS’ power conversion expertise and engineering capabilities into ABB’s broader electrification business. Its technology is expected to complement ABB’s existing capabilities in power protection, distribution, digital control and system engineering.

The transaction was first announced by ABB on July 15, 2026. At that time, ABB stated that the acquisition was expected to close by the fourth quarter of 2026. The completion announcement confirms that the transaction has now moved beyond the original acquisition agreement.

ADVANTICS Adds Silicon Carbide Power Conversion Technology

ADVANTICS specializes in power conversion solutions based on silicon carbide semiconductors. The company integrates hardware, firmware and software to optimize electrical power conversion for demanding applications.

Silicon carbide is a wide-bandgap semiconductor material used in power electronics. Compared with conventional silicon-based devices in suitable applications, SiC technology can support higher switching frequencies, improved power density and reduced conversion losses. These characteristics make it valuable in systems where energy efficiency, compact design and thermal performance are important.

According to ADVANTICS, its modular converter architecture uses 100 kW building blocks that can be combined into systems reaching the megawatt range. The technology supports bidirectional power conversion, galvanic isolation and operating voltages of up to 1,500 V, with peak efficiency of up to 98.5%.

These capabilities are relevant to modern DC power systems, where electricity needs to move efficiently between sources, energy storage equipment and electrical loads operating at different voltage levels.

Strategic Importance for ABB’s Direct Current Portfolio

The acquisition strengthens ABB’s ability to provide integrated DC power solutions. Rather than focusing only on individual electrical components, ABB is developing a broader portfolio covering the design, protection, conversion, distribution and management of electrical power.

ADVANTICS’ converter technology adds an important power conversion capability to this portfolio. It can help connect different DC voltage levels and support bidirectional energy flows between power sources, batteries and loads.

This is particularly relevant as more industrial and digital infrastructure incorporates equipment that internally operates on direct current. Examples include photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, data center servers and industrial power electronics.

DC architectures can reduce the need for repeated AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC conversion stages in suitable system designs. The actual efficiency benefits depend on the system architecture, equipment selection, operating conditions and integration quality.

Potential Applications in Data Centers and Industrial Microgrids

One important application area is data center power infrastructure. The growth of high-performance computing and artificial intelligence workloads is increasing demand for reliable, efficient and scalable electrical power systems.

ADVANTICS’ modular power converters could support DC power distribution and conversion within data center infrastructure. Their modular design also provides a basis for scaling capacity as power requirements increase. However, the acquisition announcement does not establish that a specific converter model has already been deployed in a particular data center.

Industrial microgrids are another relevant market. These systems may combine utility power, renewable generation, battery storage and industrial loads. Efficient power conversion and bidirectional energy management are important for coordinating these different resources.

Other potential application areas include:

• Battery energy storage and renewable energy integration
• High-power electric vehicle charging
• Marine and mining electrification
• Industrial power distribution systems
• Power generation and energy infrastructure

The acquisition gives ABB access to additional technology and engineering expertise that can support the development of solutions for these applications.

Implications for Industrial Automation and Electrical Equipment

Although ADVANTICS is primarily focused on power conversion rather than conventional PLC or DCS products, its technology is relevant to the wider industrial automation ecosystem.

Modern industrial facilities depend on coordinated electrical and control systems. Power converters, protection devices, distribution equipment, sensors and automation controllers work together to maintain stable operation and manage energy consumption.

As DC power architectures become more common, industrial system integrators may need to consider additional requirements involving voltage conversion, power flow control, protection coordination, monitoring and system integration.

ABB’s combination of electrical engineering capabilities and ADVANTICS’ SiC-based conversion technology could support the development of more integrated power infrastructure for industrial facilities, data centers and energy-intensive operations.

For industrial equipment users, the broader trend is the increasing importance of efficient power electronics alongside established automation technologies such as PLCs, DCS platforms, variable frequency drives, servo systems and industrial control equipment.

What the Acquisition Means for the Market

The completion of the ADVANTICS acquisition reflects ABB’s continued investment in electrification and next-generation power infrastructure.

The transaction also highlights several developments in the industrial technology market:

1. Growing demand for efficient power conversion: Data centers, industrial facilities and electrified transport systems require increasingly sophisticated power electronics.
2. Greater adoption of silicon carbide technology: SiC devices are becoming important in applications that require high efficiency, power density and high-voltage performance.
3. Expansion of DC infrastructure: Renewable energy, battery storage and digital infrastructure are creating more opportunities for DC-based system architectures.
4. Closer integration of electrical and digital technologies: Power conversion hardware, embedded control software and system-level engineering are increasingly developed as connected solutions.

The acquisition does not mean that all ADVANTICS products will immediately become part of ABB’s standard catalog. Product availability, integration plans and future commercial offerings will depend on ABB’s subsequent development and market rollout.

Conclusion

ABB’s completed acquisition of ADVANTICS strengthens its technology portfolio in silicon carbide-based power conversion and Direct Current systems. By combining ADVANTICS’ modular converter technology with ABB’s expertise in electrification, protection, distribution and digital control, the company is positioned to develop more integrated solutions for data centers, industrial microgrids, energy storage and high-power charging infrastructure.

For the industrial automation and electrical equipment market, the transaction is another indication that power conversion efficiency and DC infrastructure are becoming increasingly important parts of the next generation of industrial systems.

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