Infineon Austria welcomes approval for important innovation projects to advance decarbonization and digitalization

Business & Financial Press

Jun 08, 2023

Villach, 08 June 2023 - The European Commission today gave the green light for funding under the IPCEI ME/CT program ("Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies"). This will continue the predecessor program IPCEI ME and complement it with aspects of the entire ecosystem. 

 

Infineon Austria is investing a three-digit million amount in semiconductor projects in Austria that drive decarbonization and digitalization by mid-2026 as part of the IPCEI ME/CT innovation program. While the official funding commitment from the federal government is expected shortly, the first projects have already been launched.

 

"This European innovation program gives us additional momentum to develop novel cutting-edge technologies and manufacturing processes that drive decarbonization and digitalization," said Sabine Herlitschka, CEO of Infineon Austria, welcoming the approval of IPCEI ME/CT. "This provides another strategic instrument for jointly strengthening the key technology of microelectronics in Europe. It promotes innovation throughout the entire ecosystem, forces qualification for urgently needed skilled workers and ensures sustainable growth."

 

Infineon Austria is researching and developing groundbreaking manufacturing technologies for power electronics as part of the project. One focus is on the new semiconductor materials silicon carbide and gallium nitride. These energy-saving chips deliver more power, maximum energy efficiency and minimize the carbon footprint in the Internet of Things, data centers, renewable power generation or electric cars. As "Tech for Green" they are pacesetters for decarbonization and digitalization and make a significant contribution to achieving climate targets.

 

In a first step, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology and the Austrian Ministry for Labour and Economy selected microelectronics projects for funding as early as December 2021. Following the state aid review by the European Commission, five company projects and a research institution as associated partner will receive funding under IPCEI ME/CT, as announced today. To be eligible for funding, the projects must be in line with the strategic objectives of the European Union, involve several European member states and be expected to have a positive impact on the respective domestic markets.

 

Cross-border activities within the framework of IPCEI ME
 The predecessor program IPCEI ME will run in Austria until March 2024. Infineon Austria has so far successfully implemented spillover activities under IPCEI ME to strengthen microelectronics and STEM education, especially in the EU-13 countries: These include the conclusion of academic collaborations for example with technical universities in Zagreb (Croatia) and Sofia (Bulgaria). In addition, some 30 universities and 60 technical faculties have participated in cooperation and networking activities. So far, 200 lectures by Infineon employees and more than 100 workshops and conferences have taken place across Europe. 35 PhD have been supported and 50 internships have been awarded, mainly to students from the EU-13 countries. Such activities are also planned within the framework of IPCEI ME/CT.

About Infineon Austria

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 5,461 employees from 79 countries (including 2,390 in research and development), in the financial year 2022 (ending in September) the company achieved a turnover of € 5.2 billion. With a research expenditure of 585 million euros, Infineon Austria is one of the strongest research companies in Austria.

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Information Number : IPCEI-MECT

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Alexandra Wachschuetz

Spokesperson R&D Communication

+43 5 1777 18169

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