
At a time when the semiconductor and microelectronics industry is mostly based in Asia, there is a halt in the production of consumer goods, due to dependence on chips and microchips on a global scale for various reasons. The need arises for Europe to invest in an industrial strategy capable of responding to market needs, so as not to allow several industries to stop for lack of supply of key components.
In this context, the Microelectronics Agenda provides Portugal with unique conditions to become a major player in the management, production and distribution of these components on a European and global scale.
As part of the project, the leaders and sub-leaders of the work packages (WP's) of the Microelectronics Agenda met on 11th January at the PCI - Creative Science Park - Aveiro Region. The aim was to project the potential of Portugal as a major player in the market.
Each entity presented the state of play regarding its contribution to the Microelectronics Agenda. The areas of action involve WP's related to industrial process, testing, automation and environmental transition. Areas such as specialization, training, recycling, new automation processes, new products, new technologies, international exhibitions, communication and image are strategic objectives of the Microelectronics Agenda. The leading promoter is ATEP - AMKOR Technology Portugal and brings together a group of 14 partners, including Inova-Ria.
Inova-Ria is one of the members of the consortium, leading the WP for dissemination of results as well as the constitution of the microelectronics observatory. With its goals to be met, it is in a phase of contracting and completion of technical annexes fundamental to meeting the objectives.
The motivation in the Agenda's objectives is transversal to the various intervening parties. The network has all the means to lead the new technological race, taking advantage of the industrial base that continues to be the target of investment for this purpose, high quality research, skilled workers, a dynamic ecosystem and able to start highlighting Portugal and Europe in the field of responsiveness to market needs.
This is the first major initiative in Portugal in the field of Microelectronics. It is time to create a policy of European self-sufficiency, where Portugal can and must also contribute, and this is one of the steps taken by this group for this purpose.