Germany no longer wants to be just a player in microelectronics in the future, it wants to play a leading role. The Federal Cabinet has therefore adopted the "Federal Government's Microelectronics Strategy", which is intended to bring together research, skilled workers and production in an overall concept. Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, and Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche emphasize that the strategy sets the course for Germany's technological sovereignty.

Microelectronics: at the heart of the economy and innovation

"Microelectronics is a key technology, it is research-intensive and at the same time fundamental for prosperity and technological sovereignty," said Dorothee Bär. Germany has an excellent ecosystem of science and industry, semiconductor manufacturers, suppliers and users of microelectronics - this is to be strengthened in a targeted manner. Among other things, the aim is to develop Germany into the European center for chip design and to accelerate the transfer of research results to industry.

"The recent past has shown how vulnerable our economy is if chips cannot be supplied," added Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche. Without microelectronics, neither cars nor energy infrastructure nor communication networks would function. The strategy aims to ensure that Germany remains not only a user, but also a developer and manufacturer - while ensuring competitive locations, reliable framework conditions and targeted funding.

Six fields of action and three guiding principles

The strategy is divided into six interlinked fields of action:

• Expansion of chip design capabilities
• Accelerating the transfer of research results to industrial production ("from lab to fab")
• Recruitment and qualification of skilled workers
• Incentives for investment
• Strengthening European and international cooperation
• Ensuring reliable framework conditions for production and research

Three central leitmotifs determine the orientation:

• Strengthening existing competencies: Especially where European capabilities are indispensable in global semiconductor value creation.
• Developing new technologies: Research should prepare the next generation of chips and open up economically relevant applications.
• Supply chain resilience: In addition to capacities and market shares, the focus is on security and critical infrastructures, as well as key technologies such as AI and quantum computing.

Europe and the world in view

Microelectronics is globally and European networked. The strategy is geared towards international cooperation and supports the objectives of the "Semicon Declaration" presented in September. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) want to accompany the implementation in close dialog with industry, science, federal states and associations.

A "Chips Office" will serve as a central interface for all stakeholders in future. A competence center for chip design is also being established. Flagship projects such as the "Supercomputer in the Car" are intended to make the German automotive and mechanical engineering industry fit for the future. At the same time, the BMWE is driving forward European projects such as the IPCEI "Advanced Semiconductor Technologies".

Technologically sovereign, economically strong and innovative

With its microelectronics strategy, the German government wants to send a clear signal: Germany wants to remain technologically sovereign, economically strong and innovative. The course for the chips of tomorrow - and for the companies that develop and use them - should be set now.

Source: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)