Silicon Saxony Days: Saxony's High-Tech Sector Is Growing Against the National Trend

This development is particularly noteworthy given the broader economic context. While Germany’s economy is stagnating, Saxony’s microelectronics and software industries continue to grow and create new jobs. The sector is thus reaffirming its role as one of the Free State’s most important engines of growth. “The current trend underscores the long-term appeal of the region as a business location. At the same time, we are only at the beginning of a new phase of growth. Numerous investments across the entire value chain, as well as the growing importance of artificial intelligence, digitalization, and technological sovereignty, open up additional opportunities for the coming years,” said Prof. Dr. Frank Schönefeld, Chairman of the Executive Board of Silicon Saxony, on the occasion of the 20th Silicon Saxony Days, which took place in Dresden from June 15 to 17. 

Over 2,000 participants and 14 business and innovation delegations from Europe, North America, and Asia are expected to attend. Taiwan is this year’s Special Partner. The launch of the German-Taiwanese Business Network marks another step in the expansion of strategic partnerships between the two technology hubs.

Investment Boom Among SME Suppliers

The growth from 81,000 to 82,500 employees is no coincidence, but rather a reflection of a broadening investment momentum within the Silicon Saxony ecosystem. In addition to large-scale manufacturing projects, SMEs across the entire semiconductor value chain are increasingly investing in new locations, capacity, and services. These include, among others, providers of cleanroom and factory infrastructure, specialty gases, chemical supplies, measurement technology, automation, robotics, exhaust gas and wastewater treatment, as well as industrial AI solutions. In recent months alone, companies such as Air Liquide, Exyte, Sempa Systems, InSeCoTec (part of the Japanese Murata Machinery network), Mitutoyo Europe, MIC Marketech International Corp., Taiwan Puritic Corp., Onto Innovation, SMC Corporation, EBARA Precision Machinery Europe, VOXCLEAN, Innowave Tech, and other international suppliers have expanded their presence in Saxony or announced new activities. These investments demonstrate that growth momentum is no longer limited to chip manufacturing itself but is increasingly spreading throughout the entire industrial ecosystem.

“This development proves that Silicon Saxony is far more than the sum of its individual factories. An ever-denser network of specialized technology companies, suppliers, and service providers is growing around the major facilities. It is precisely this breadth of value creation that makes the region resilient and creates additional jobs far beyond actual chip production,” says René Reichardt, Managing Director of DAS Environmental Expert GmbH.

The Growing Importance of the Silicon Saxony Cluster

Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, the global race for AI infrastructure, and the discussion surrounding a future EU Chips Act 2.0, the role of Europe’s leading semiconductor cluster continues to gain significance. Saxony benefits from a unique combination of industrial manufacturing expertise, excellent research, growing software expertise, and strong international networks. “Anyone talking about Europe’s competitiveness, artificial intelligence, and technological sovereignty must also talk about semiconductors and software. And anyone talking about semiconductors and software cannot ignore Silicon Saxony,” said Frank Bösenberg, Managing Director of Silicon Saxony.

Barkhausen Institute Submits Application for National Center of Excellence in Chip Design

The Barkhausen Institute, together with four partners from academia and research, has submitted an application to the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Aerospace (BMFTR) to establish the ChipDE-Digital hub in Saxony—one of the five planned design hubs of the new national center of excellence for chip design (ChipDE) for digital chips. Starting in 2027, the center is intended to support universities, research institutions, startups, and companies in chip design. Access to modern development tools, European design platforms, and expert knowledge could significantly reduce the costs and barriers to entry for new chip designs.   

“This presents a unique opportunity for Saxony,” explains Prof. Dr. Gerhard Fettweis, founder of the Barkhausen Institute and coordinator of the new project, on the sidelines of the Silicon Saxony Days. “Thanks to Silicon Saxony, the Free State is already one of Europe’s leading microelectronics hubs. By consistently building up expertise in chip design, Saxony can consolidate its strong market position in the long term and expand it beyond chip production.”