Germany’s Economy Ministry recently announced plans to invest approximately 20 billion euros ($22.15 billion) in the semiconductor industry over the next few years. The move aims to reduce the country’s reliance on Asian nations for semiconductors and encourage global chipmakers to establish manufacturing facilities within Germany’s borders. This strategic investment is part of the EU Chips Act, which targets doubling the European bloc’s share of global chip output to 20% by 2030.
The increasing demand for semiconductors in various industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, and healthcare, has amplified the urgency for secure and self-sufficient supply chains. With Asian countries dominating the semiconductor production landscape, European nations seek to bolster their semiconductor capabilities through strategic investments.
Intel is leading the way in this endeavor, which recently unveiled plans to invest more than 30 billion euros in constructing two chipmaking plants in Magdeburg, Germany. This massive investment marks the largest foreign investment ever received by Germany, and it signifies the nation’s seriousness in becoming a major semiconductor hub.
TSMC is the world’s largest contract chipmaker, and it has also shown keen interest in establishing a semiconductor production facility in Germany. TSMC has been in discussions with the German state of Saxony since 2021 regarding the construction of a fabrication plant in Dresden. The potential investment by TSMC could further boost Germany’s semiconductor capabilities.
Of the total investment package, almost 10 billion euros will be allocated as subsidies to Intel. The remaining funds will be distributed among other chipmakers, including Infineon, GlobalFoundries, and TSMC. However, there have been concerns raised about market distortions due to the significant difference in subsidy amounts between companies.
GlobalFoundries, an established semiconductor company in Germany, expressed concerns about the disparity in funding. The company’s CEO, Tom Caulfield, criticized the substantial subsidies given to TSMC, which could create imbalances in the market. This criticism highlights the challenges authorities may face in ensuring a level playing field for all chipmakers.
Apart from Intel and TSMC, Infineon is another key player in the German semiconductor landscape. The company is investing around 5 billion euros in building its semiconductor plant in Dresden, with production slated to begin in 2026. Infineon’s expansion adds further momentum to Germany’s semiconductor growth.
Germany plans to draw subsidies from the Climate and Transformation Fund starting in 2024. The approval of these funds by the European Commission is a prerequisite for providing financial support to individual semiconductor projects.
Germany’s investment in the semiconductor industry aligns with the objectives of the EU Chips Act. The Act aims to reduce Europe’s reliance on foreign chip manufacturers and foster domestic chip production, contributing to the growth of the European semiconductor market.
Germany’s commitment to investing over 20 billion euros in the semiconductor industry demonstrates its determination to the global semiconductor market. The strategic allocation of funds to major players like Intel and TSMC is poised to enhance Germany’s semiconductor capabilities and strengthen its supply chain. However, the potential market distortions caused by the disparity in subsidies remain a point of contention. As the investment plan unfolds, its success will largely depend on how well it aligns with the EU Chips Act’s goals and its ability to foster a competitive and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem in Germany.
Image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license and was created by Jörg Zägel.
