Page 52 - EE Times Europe March 2022

52 EE|Times EUROPE

EU Must Continue to Invest in Microelectronics, Says SEMI Europe President

president’s closing remarks: “Europe will Gelsinger said he will soon announce enough for such advanced technologies?
always work to keep global markets open and expansion plans for Intel’s manufacturing in Altimime: The chip shortage has put the spot-
connected. This is in the world’s interest, and the U.S. and Europe. I naturally expect that light on the lack of production outside of Asia,
it is in our interest. But we also need to tackle the discussion around the European megafab which in fact produces approximately 80% of
the bottlenecks that slow down our growth, will go beyond its current scope. all chips. Increasing tensions with China also
because this will help us become a stronger have added pressure on U.S. lawmakers to
player, not just in some niche but throughout A 2-NM FAB: FUTILE OR FARSIGHTED? restore local manufacturing. The uncertainties
the whole value chain.” The European Commission presented its Digital of these geopolitical tensions put Europe in an
There are great opportunities for closer Compass in March 2021, then launched the exciting and competitive position.
partnerships, connecting the key players [and] Industrial Alliance on Processors and Semi- I believe the “No Digital without Chips”
key ecosystems, and building on the strengths conductor Technologies and announced the theme of the European Commission president
of different players in the global value chain. European Chips Act shortly thereafter. The is a very powerful statement of how chips will
This is an area where SEMI plays a strategic motivation behind these successive initiatives continue to play an even more strategic part
role as a global industry association with over has been to put semiconductors back at the core in our everyday digital life.
2,400 members. of the European technological race and ensure AI will transform all markets and appli-
Europe’s sovereignty. Because of concerns about cations, with 75 billion connected devices
EETE: Could the discussion with Intel CEO overreliance on chip production in Asia and the by 2030, delivering a “data explosion” and
Pat Gelsinger about the establishment of risk of being caught in the crossfire of Asia-U.S. a corresponding explosion of demand for
a European megafab realistically become geopolitical tensions, the EC called for estab- semiconductors of all kinds and technology
a pan-European discussion? lishing European manufacturing capacity below nodes. With this increased demand and the
Altimime: I don’t see why not. This would the 5-nm node, aiming at 2 nm, and for Europe goal to achieve 20% production by 2030 in
be key toward Europe’s goal of achieving 20% to account for 20% of the world’s semiconductor mind, as well as the intention to promote more
global market share by 2030. production by value by 2030. balanced interdependencies and build supply
In his press announcement on Jan. 20, 2022, Following these announcements, however, chains we can trust, single points of failure
Gelsinger emphasized the impact the chip market research firm Yole Développement must be avoided. It is of paramount importance
shortage has had on a wide range of indus- suggested the plans were overly ambitious. to extend Europe’s manufacturing capabilities
tries in the past two years, hurting sales of Noting that “Intel has encountered difficulties in the most advanced technology nodes and
everything from cars to mobile phones, urging in delivering its own advanced 7-nm man- maintain Europe’s competitiveness and strate-
Europe and U.S. to push ahead with chip- ufacturing process,” Yole asked, “If the U.S. gic importance in the global value chain.
manufacturing plans. This was also com- computing giant can’t easily succeed at this
municated by SEMI Europe in a letter to process node, should Europe pursue an even EETE: If this project is confirmed, should
Commissioner Breton, recommending that riskier jump to 5 nm?” it not be pursued with partners such as
Europe and the U.S. continue to invest in the TSMC?
microelectronics industry to advance new EETE: Does Europe really need a Altimime: With such tremendous oppor-
materials, designs, and architectures while US$30 billion, 5-nm or 2-nm node fab? Is tunities ahead, it will be a tremendous
remaining open to all who can add value and the European market (i.e., automotive, endorsement if TSMC would also announce
foster innovation. IoT, AI, connectivity, industrial) mature investments in Europe. The same argument

MARCH 2022 | www.eetimes.eu