Microelectronics

Bitkom: Semiconductors – More production, research and development from Germany required

October 29, 2025. From the point of view of the economy, Germany’s supply of semiconductors should receive significantly more political support than it has to date. For example, 55% of German companies that work intensively with semiconductors consider the promotion of domestic production to be “extremely important”, while a further 41% consider it to be “somewhat important”. For 50 percent, the promotion of research and development in the semiconductor sector is “extremely important”, for a further 45 percent “somewhat important”. And 47% consider the promotion of the development and production of chips and processors for AI applications to be “extremely important”, while a further 43% consider this to be “somewhat important”. These are the results of a representative survey conducted on behalf of the digital association Bitkom among 503 companies with 20 or more employees from the manufacturing, IT and telecommunications industries – sectors in which semiconductors are heavily used.

Graphic: Bitkom

Tags

Cleanroom, IC Design, Nanoelectronics, Packaging, Production, Promotion, Research & Development, Semiconductor, Technological Sovereignty

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Robert Krauße

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The survey was conducted from July to September 2025 – i.e. before the current supply bottlenecks surrounding Nexperia. “Semiconductors have become a geopolitical power factor. Germany and Europe must specifically expand their own semiconductor expertise in order to secure their technological and economic ability to act,” says Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst.

In addition, a total of 90 percent consider it important to promote the development of domestic capacities in the field of testing and packaging (36 percent “extremely important”, 54 percent “somewhat important”). The promotion of chip design (87% overall), the manufacture of production equipment for semiconductor production (87% overall) and the production of materials and chemicals for this (81% overall) is also considered necessary by a large majority. “Europe needs competitive structures along the entire semiconductor value chain – from research and design to production and packaging,” emphasizes Wintergerst. “Europe has set the right course with the Chips Act and Germany with its microelectronics strategy and high-tech agenda. What matters now is the speed of implementation and measurable results.” 86 percent of the companies surveyed still criticize the fact that politicians are doing too little to ensure the supply of semiconductors. Likewise, 86 percent consider a strong semiconductor ecosystem in Germany to be important for national security.

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