Official opening of new Infineon research building in Linz

Linz, 30 April 2021 – The new research building of Infineon Austria in Linz was officially opened today in an online event with prominent guests. The participants were given a virtual insight into the semiconductor development location as well as an outlook on success factors and future-oriented framework conditions for Linz as a technology location.

Meinhard Lukas, Rector of Johannes Kepler University Linz,  Barbara Weitgruber, Head of Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research who represented Federal Minister  Heinz Faßmann,  Sabine Herlitschka, CEO Infineon Austria and host  Manfred Ruhmer, Managing Director Infineon in Linz discussed the topic “In the Knowledge and Innovation Network into the future”. The discussion focused on the general framework conditions: global innovative power “made in Linz” needs highly qualified technical specialists, attractive study opportunities, excellent partners and a strong networking at many levels.

Sabine Herlitschka: “The Linz site is of major strategic importance for us as one of the leading industrial research performers in Austria. It is here that the key technologies for mobile radio applications and driver assistance systems for autonomous driving are developed. With more than 250 million 77 GHz radar chips sold, Infineon is the technology and world market leader in this segment. For this we need highly qualified specialists and welcome all activities that make Linz an even more attractive place of study, training and business that appeals to international experts.”

Heinz Faßmann, Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research: "Infineon impressively demonstrates how research collaboration in networks of science and industry successfully leads to innovations for the global market and thus guarantees Austria's future as a business location and a source of jobs. Based on the new Research Financing Act, the RTI Strategy 2030 and the RTI Pact 2021-2023, we want to further promote cooperation between science and industry in the future, but also strengthen Austria as a business location with urgently needed young talent in the STEM sector. It is therefore important to awaken curiosity and enthusiasm for scientific and technical subjects and to discover talents and promote them in the best way, starting in kindergarten and along the entire educational chain."

Technology as the pacemaker for education and innovation

Infineon’s approach to attracting technical talent at an early stage revolves around cooperation – both in research projects and with study courses. To date, more than 370 young talents have been given the opportunity to combine their scientific expertise with industrial practice during internships at the Linz site or by writing their Bachelor, Master or PhD theses there. Nine students are currently working for their dissertations at the research site.

Meinhard Lukas, Rector of JKU: "At Johannes Kepler University, we think about and research technological progress in the broadest possible sense; this inter- and transdisciplinary approach has been pushed, especially in the area of our Linz Institute of Technology (LIT), since its founding. At JKU, all four faculties - from medicine to law - contribute to the further development of new technologies, even though the majority of developments take place in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. As a third pillar alongside teaching and research, JKU is committed to its "third mission", the transfer of knowledge to society and the region. The JKU spin-off founded in 1999 by former rector Hagelauer, which now operates as part of Infineon Austria, is a prime example of this. At the Austrian location, it is therefore essential that science, teaching and business work together in the best possible way."

Global market leader in radar chips with space for the future

Ever since establishing the Linz site as a Johannes Kepler University (JKU) spin-off in 1999 and the start of Infineon involvement, this location has rapidly been transformed into a major global center of competence for high-frequency technologies employing 180 highly qualified members of staff from 28 countries. A new milestone was set when Infineon Technologies Linz (former DICE) moved into the new building in Donaufeldstrasse last year. Manfred Ruhmer, Managing Director Infineon Linz: “The building was designed for the future. In addition to the state-of-the-art laboratory and measurement technology area, it has a capacity of 400 jobs. This makes us an attractive employer and innovation incubator at the Linz site with the clear objective of expanding our technological lead over our international competitors.”

Powerful supporters of the Linz site sent video messages to the online event. The political representatives included the Governor of Upper Austria, Thomas Stelzer and the Mayor of the City of Linz, Klaus Luger. Harald Kainmüller from the Linz Works Council sent a welcome message from the new building. The video messages from the Infineon Group came from Peter Schiefer, President Division Automotive and Andreas Urschitz, President Division Power & Sensor Systems who gave an insight into future market developments.

Further information: 

Livestream-recording (in German)

Infineon Technologies Linz

Johannes Kepler Univsertät Linz

Federal Ministry Republic of Austria for Education, Science and Research

Infineon Technologies Austria AG is a group subsidiary of Infineon Technologies AG, a world-leading provider of semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon reduce the energy consumption of consumer electronics, domestic appliances and industrial facilities. They make a major contribution to the convenience, security and sustainability of vehicles, and enable secure transactions in the Internet of Things.

Infineon Austria pools competencies for research and development, production as well as global business responsibility. The head office is in Villach, with further branches in Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Vienna. With 4,517 employees from around 70 countries (including 1,960 in research and development), in the financial year 2020 (ending in September) the company achieved a turnover of € 3.1 billion. With a research expenditure of 498 million euros, Infineon Austria is one of the strongest research companies in Austria.