Competence Area Microelectronics
Saxony has a long tradition in microelectronics. At the latest since the 1960s, the first research and developments in this field have been advanced here. The semiconductor factories of renowned companies such as Bosch, Infineon, GlobalFoundries, and X-FAB—known as fabs—are a central pillar of the economic success of the entire cluster and the region. A large number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in the field of design and the most important parts of the supply chain are also active in our region and are working on innovative solutions for microelectronics. Thanks to close cooperation between industry, research, and education, Saxony has become the most important location for the semiconductor industry, especially production, in Europe. Every third chip produced in Europe comes from the Free State.
Silicon Saxony Managing Director Frank Bösenberg explains the importance of microelectronics.
Source: Fraunhofer Microelectronics Group | Research Factory Microelectronics Germany (FMD)
Semiconductor News Podcast
The most important news, trends and developments in the national and international semiconductor industry – presented in a compact, concise and understandable way. This is “What’s Chippening”, the news podcast from the heart of European microelectronics, Silicon Saxony.
Projects
INFRACHIP
INFRACHIP is a European research platform for the sustainable development of next-generation semiconductor chips. INFRACHIP gives you free access to state-of-the-art technologies in various scientific and research institutions throughout Europe. INFRACHIP aims to tackle the challenging task of the digital and green transition in the European Union. Would you like to benefit too? Then register now!
aCCCess
Launched in March 2025, the four-year EU project aCCCess is establishing the European Network of Chips Competence Centres (ENCCC) and ensuring maximum synergies between CCCs, Chips Pilot Lines (CPLs), and the virtual Design Platform (DP). Under the leadership of experienced cluster organizations and technology partners, a central platform is being created that accelerates innovation, facilitates access to technologies and financing for companies, and strengthens Europe’s semiconductor expertise on a global level. Would you like to benefit too? Then register now!
Topics of the department
Semiconductors
Among numerous other topics, the production of semiconductors, including by the five local fabs operated by Bosch, Globalfoundries, Infineon, SAW Components, and X-Fab, is a regional focus. We continuously put the spotlight on this sector at trade fairs, conferences, in working groups, projects, and in our communication channels, such as the hybrid magazine NEXT. Because Saxony is the microelectronics heart of Europe.
IC-Design
One of the department’s areas of focus is chip design, also known as “IC design.” In addition to the IC Design Working Group, Silicon Saxony has now established a new degree program in this field in Saxony. The network has also collaborated with numerous members to publish a video about the job profile of IC designers, as new experts in this field are urgently needed.
Yield
A thousand chips per wafer. Hundreds of individual process steps. Ultimately, customers expect nothing less than perfection. The goal of the Yield and Reliability division is to identify and mitigate potential sources of error in semiconductor production at an early stage. A zero-error rate, i.e., 100% yield, is the target in the region’s semiconductor fabs. How this can be achieved is one of the topics addressed in two working groups.
Events
International Conference on IC Design and Technology (ICICDT)
