Whether it’s a game console or a new car. In our digital age, the worldwide chip crisis is having a negative impact on almost every industry. So it’s hardly surprising that people in this country want more independence from semiconductor production in Asia. Accordingly, the “Microelectronics II” support program was launched. As this is a so-called “Important Project of Common European Interest”, Germany is now receiving a total of 10 billion euros from the EU budget. More money is to follow.
Semiconductor production to come back to Europe
Like the rest of the world, Europe is suffering from a semiconductor shortage. The newly sworn-in German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck (Greens), would like to curb the associated problems in the long term.
“We must bring [the] production of semiconductors back to Germany and Europe.”
This is to be done through extensive funding of a total of 32 projects around the topic of chip manufacturing. Habeck brings thereby a promotion of over 10 billion euros into play. Origin of the funding amount is a European funding program (Important Project of Common European Interest microelectronics and communication technologies). And this financial injection is just the beginning. In fact, to promote comprehensive semiconductor manufacturing in the EU, the confederation of states wants to invest a whopping 145 billion euros by 2024.
Will words be followed by deeds?
What sounds like a thoroughly sensible project has so far been pursued rather half-heartedly by the EU. Thus, it is now already a year since the investment campaign was launched. In order to be able to use the planned money, Germany has now proposed 32 suitable projects. However, the EU Commission still has to confirm the financial injection. Apart from the number of projects to be funded, we don’t really know anything yet. For example, in response to a query from our colleagues at heise online, the ministry responsible has not yet provided any further details on exactly which companies are to receive the funding:
“As things stand, we are currently unable to name the German companies that will participate in the 2nd IPCEI Microelectronics. The process is still ongoing, the pre-notification is the first step towards the approval of the IPCEI by the European Commission. At the latest, when the Commission has approved the IPCEI and the subprojects contained therein, we can and will also communicate the names of the participating companies.”
Criticism from all sides
The fact that the EU has decided to manufacture semiconductors itself has been unanimously praised by both politicians and industry. However, the lengthy process is criticized. A look at Asia and the USA shows why. While semiconductor plant after semiconductor plant is being built at breakneck speed there, in our climes there are still discussions about subsidies. In any case, the European plans have already been well received by one well-known company. Intel, probably the best-known chip manufacturer in the world, has announced that it will build a plant in Europe.
