Wir in Sachsen 2012 - Wirtschaftsjournal

Photo: © Photronics
Silicon Saxony e. V.
Manfred-von-Ardenne-Ring 20
D-01099 Dresden
Telefon: +49 351 8925-888
Telefax: +49 351 8925-889
info@silicon-saxony.de
www.silicon-saxony.de
Innovations form the basis of the modern semiconductor
industry. They are the engine that drives economic progress
and are one of the most important reasons why the
semiconductor industry in the Free State of Saxony has
been able to prosper within a hotly contested market.
"Silicon Saxony", the region between Dresden, Freiberg
and Chemnitz, is Europe’s largest microelectronics location
and belongs to one of the most innovative clusters
in the world. The region is home to a unique concentration
of companies and research institutes with expertise
in the fields of micro- and nanoelectronics, telecommunications
technology, photovoltaics, IT and computer science,
energy-efficient systems, smart systems & networked
sensors and organic & printed electronics. One in two chips
produced in Europe bears the "Made in Saxony" slogan.
In order to solidify and further expand on its strong position,
the Saxon semiconductor industry must keep up with
market developments. This also includes the conversion
of production methods to accommodate larger wafer diameters
of 450 mm.
Together with the Saxon State Ministry for Science and
the Arts, Silicon Saxony e. V. has established a new "450
mm taskforce". The founding members, including AIS Automation
GmbH, Siltronic AG, Roth & Rau Ortner GmbH,
Vistec Electronic Beam GmbH, Brooks Automation GmbH,
Freiberg Instruments GmbH, HSEB Dresden GmbH and the
Fraunhofer Center for Nanoelectronic Technologies (CNT),
alongside the Information Technology Chair at the Dresden
University of Technology, want to pool their compe-
C O M PA N I E S A N D P R O D U C T S
Silicon Saxony – 450 mm technology for a
strong microelectronics location
tences and together overcome the challenges posed by
the 450 mm technology: the larger wafers require new
materials, new plants and modern automation solutions.
"450 mm production lines are becoming reality and
represent an opportunity for supply companies in Saxony.
Involvement in the development of 450 mm technologies
also ensures the future of Saxon companies, such as HAP,
Siltronic and AIS Automation, at the highest level. The
results of these developments will in future be successfully
applied in 450 mm product lines. The investments
required will also be put to use in a downgraded form, in
already-existing 200 mm/300 mm production lines. Participation
in this development also ensures stable future
jobs within the supply industry for semiconductor technology,"
says Taskforce Leader and Managing Director of
AIS Automation, Eckhard Schöbel. Burkhard Stegemann
(HSEB Dresden GmbH) has a similar view regarding the
potential in the Free State: "Technologically speaking,
Silicon Saxony is already at a world-class level. However,
we could also be a leading force in the introduction of
new basic principles – after all, the most recent optimization
of the wafer size to 300 mm also began in Dresden."
The local research institutions already have considerable
technological expertise: "Our strengths currently lie
in the field of 300 mm technology. We want to utilize this
expertise to develop the procedure into 450 mm technology,"
says Prof. Dr. Peter Kücher, Head of the Fraunhofer
CNT. In order to reinforce the position of Saxony and
Europe as an important microelectronics location in the
long-term, research findings must be quickly converted
into actual products. The companies based here are also
prepared for this challenge. "The larger wafer diameter
will require an even higher level of precision in the masks.
We are well equipped to cope with this," says Barbara
Lauche of photo masks manufacturer Photronics, for
example.
"Our first, most important goal is to gather partners
interested in making the next technological leap in the
field of semiconductor production, to initiate collaborations
and to canvass for the required support in the fields
of science, economics and politics. The taskforce is of
course open to new members. Silicon Saxony actively
supports its members on the path to the future via this
platform," concludes Heinz Martin Esser, member of the
industry association’s board of directors. (fh)
www.silicon-saxony.de
WIR in SACHSEN 2012 13