Strong action is needed by the EU and national governments to maintain the competitiveness of the European semiconductor industry, says an EU commissioner.
Dirk Beernaert of the European Commission’s nanoelectronics division said: “Strong actions from the EU, national governments and public authorities, together with the industry are urgently needed for the European semiconductor industry to remain a corner stone of Europe’s competitiveness and innovation”.
He was speaking on a visit to the IMEC nanoelectronics research centre in Belgium.
The European share of semiconductor manufacturing capacity dropped 25% from 2005-2007.
“As part of a dedicated innovation led industrial policy, a globally competitive European industry needs effective measures in place along the four innovation pillars of R&D, lead markets, manufacturing and education,” said François Escher, co-chair of the European Semiconductor Industry Association’s competitiveness task force.
Today 75% of global investments in semiconductor manufacturing capacities are taking place in SE Asia and the US where semiconductors are still seen as a key enabling and strategic industry.