Saxony has cemented its position as a key player in Europe’s semiconductor industry, thanks to its legacy in microelectronics. As the hub of the Silicon Saxony cluster, it hosts major companies like Bosch, Infineon, and GlobalFoundries. The establishment of the Center for Advanced CMOS & Heterointegration Saxony in Dresden, formed through the collaboration of Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems and Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration, demonstrates Saxony’s commitment to cutting-edge semiconductor research. Significantly, a third of Europe’s chips are produced in Saxony, highlighting its crucial role in the European semiconductor sector. The region’s innovation ecosystem also benefits from the contributions of small companies and startups, which are developing groundbreaking microelectronics solutions.

In Poland, the microelectronics sector is thriving due to substantial investments and research initiatives. Leading institutions such as the Łukasiewicz Research Network and the Institute of Electron Technology are spearheading developments in sustainable and energy-efficient computing. Intel’s commitment to invest in a new semiconductor assembly and test facility near Wrocław further emphasizes Poland’s increasing importance in the global semiconductor industry.

The Czech Republic makes significant strides in the semiconductor field. The expansion of onsemi’s Silicon Carbide fab in Roznov underscores the nation’s rising significance in semiconductor manufacturing. (This expansion, which will multiply SiC wafer production capacity by 16 times, is a response to the growing global demand for microchips.) The Czech Republic demonstrates its commitment to microelectronics through efforts to attract multinational investments and develop advanced technologies, playing a pivotal role in the European semiconductor industry.

Slovenia’s progress in microelectronics is evident in initiatives like the SLO-chip conference and the multi-country project on Low-Power Processors and Semiconductor Chips. This project, led by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, aims to strengthen the EU and Slovenian semiconductor value chains, covering design, manufacturing, and system integration. It reflects Slovenia’s dedication to building a robust microelectronics ecosystem, incorporating advanced technologies in areas such as smart mobility and smart cities. These initiatives mark Slovenia as an emerging player in the European semiconductor and microelectronics landscape.