On September 18, 2023, ams OSRAM, a global leader in intelligent sensors and emitters, received substantial public funding from the German federal government and the Free State of Bavaria. The funding, part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) initiative, is aimed at advancing semiconductor technology, particularly in the field of optoelectronic components, at its Regensburg location.
The company’s project, presented at an event hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, emphasizes its European significance and highlights the collaboration between the federal government and the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.
Pending official notice of the grant, ams OSRAM expects to receive over EUR 300 million in public funding over the next five years. This funding will primarily support research and development activities related to innovative optoelectronic semiconductors and their manufacturing processes. It is anticipated to create 400 new high-tech jobs and will also facilitate the establishment of new clean room and laboratory facilities for research, development, and pilot production.
The investment will enable ams OSRAM to focus on various applications, including UV-C LEDs for disinfection, near-infrared emitters for LiDAR used in autonomous driving, and microLEDs for advanced displays. Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a significant role in enhancing production capabilities.
Aldo Kamper, CEO of ams OSRAM, underscores the importance of expanding their optoelectronic semiconductor development activities to foster innovation and accelerate product time-to-market. He also reaffirms the company’s commitment to Regensburg, Bavaria, and Europe as hubs of innovation in the semiconductor industry.
Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, lauds the investment as a means to strengthen Bavaria’s position in the global semiconductor industry and create new jobs in a highly innovative environment.
ams OSRAM’s Regensburg location has a rich history of semiconductor development, spanning 50 years, with 2,700 highly qualified employees currently contributing to its success. Past IPCEI subsidies have already solidified Regensburg’s status as a key research and production site for optoelectronic semiconductors in Europe, helping ams OSRAM attain the second position globally in the optoelectronic semiconductor market. Recent innovations, such as multi-pixel headlights for vehicles and UV-C LEDs for disinfection, have showcased the company’s continuous commitment to advancing semiconductor technology. These efforts have led to the creation of 500 new jobs in research, development, and production by 2022.
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