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» NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS ZVEI pushes for speedy implementation of EU Chips Act German industry urges EU to promote investment in semiconductor industry Source: ZVEI / SIA Investment in microelectronics by global region The German Electro and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI) has urged the EU to promote investment in semiconductor industry. “The global semiconductor market will double to around one trillion US dollars by 2030. Although the semiconductor market is currently exhibiting typical cyclical behaviour, with overcapacities being built up in the short term, the chip rally of recent years is not yet nearing its end,“ said Robert Kraus, Chairman of the ZVEI Semiconductor Division and CEO Inova Semiconductors. The organisation believes that the demand for chips will remain high - especially in the automotive and industrial markets - with Kraus pointing out that further digitization and sustainability measures such as CO2-reducing technologies would drive high growth in the long term. In 2022, chips worth USD 580 billion were produced worldwide, but under 10 % of that in Europe. “Europe runs the risk of being left behind if, among other things, the measures in the EU Chips Act are carried out too late“, said Wolfgang Weber, Chairman of the ZVEI Board of Management. “Europe will hardly be able to maintain its position as a semiconductor region – let alone expand its own share of global production – if the necessary conditions for investment in Europe are not put into place immediately“. The EU Chips Act, which aims to double Europe‘s share of the global semiconductor market to 20 % by 2030, was announced in autumn 2021. Benchmark for Europe should be US Chips According to ZVEI, the benchmark for Europe should be the US Chips and Science Act, which will provide over USD 200 billion for semiconductor manufacturing and R&D. Europe is planning mobilise around EUR 43 billion for the EU Chips Act. Without significant additional investment from other public sources Europe will miss its 20 % target and further weaken Europe as an investment location, despite the European Chips Act. Europe needs a policy that promotes investment in a targeted manner. “The goal must be to develop an internationally competitive microelectronics ecosystem in Europe,” Weber said. ‘To achieve this, the EU must implement the Chips Act ... with the highest priority and stimulate investment in the semiconductor industry.“ www.zvei.org SEMI World Fab Forecast report Global fab equipment spending to decline in 2023, recover in 2024 Global fab equipment spending for frontend facilities is expected to decrease 22 % year-over-year to USD 76 billion in 2023 from a record high of USD 98 billion in 2022 before rising 21 % YoY to USD 92 billion in 2024 to reclaim lost ground, industry association SEMI announced in its latest quarterly World Fab Forecast report. Next year’s fab equipment spending recovery will be driven in part by the end of the semiconductor inventory correction in 2023 and strengthening demand for semiconductors in the high-performance computing (HPC) and automotive segments. “This quarter’s SEMI World Fab Forecast update offers our first look ahead to 2024, highlighting the steady global expansion of fab capacity to support future semiconductor industry growth driven by the automotive and computing segments and a host of emerging applications,” said Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO. “The report points to a healthy 21 % uptick in equipment investment next year.” Covering 2022 to 2024, the SEMI World Fab Forecast report shows the global semiconductor industry increasing capacity by 4.8 % this year after a 7.2 % rise in 2022. Capacity growth is expected to continue in 2024, rising 5.6 %. The latest update of the SEMI World Fab Forecast report, published in March, lists 1,470 facilities and lines globally, including 142 volume facilities and lines with various probabilities that are expected to start production in 2023 or later. Source: SEMI www.semi.org 14 EPP Europe » 04 | 2023
One of two major construction projects the company has underway RAFI Group to build new facility in Bad Waldsee, Germany Manufacturer of electromechanical components and systems for human–machine interaction, RAFI has announced it is investing in two major projects in Germany. In April 2023, the company will begin construction of a new building in Bad Waldsee, Baden- Württemberg with infrastructure that is both energy-efficient and low-consumption. The new facility is a combined, state-of-the-art office and production building. It will house the operating equipment for plastics and automatic machine production, metal processing, tool and die making, and tool and die development. A number of classrooms and the facilities for basic training in metalwork will be combined into an impressive apprenticeship, teaching, and further training centre. “These projects represent an investment in the sustained further growth of the entire RAFI Group,” explained Dr. Lothar Seybold, CEO of the RAFI Group. “The construction of a new production plant in Bad Waldsee is a clear statement of commitment to the region as a business location. It creates new, crisis-proof jobs here,” said CFO Lothar Arnold. Berg site revamp The second major project is a revamp of the location in Berg, Baden-Württemberg. It was launched in 2022 and the company has now completed the first construction phase. As part of its growth strategy, the manufacturer is investing a sum in the high two-digit millions for the three-year renovation and energy-saving modernization project. It involves successively fitting the buildings with new, climate-friendly roofs, façades, and glazing. The physical effects are expected to deliver energy savings of up to 45 % and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions of around 340 tons per year. The first construction phase for Building A has been completed. www.rafi-group.com Source: RAFI Group In April 2023, the company will start construction of a state-of-the-art office and production facility in Bad Waldsee, Germany NEW 3D AOI Next Level of Quality Inspection Strongest Performance • Most advanced XM-II sensor technology • Customizable analysis functions • Extremely fast data processing • Unbeatable defect detection Visit us www.viscom.com EPP Europe Booth » 04 | 2023 4A, 120 15
