AT&S opens Europe's first work for IC substrates in Leoben!

AT&S opens Europe's first work for IC substrates in Leoben!

Leoben, Österreich - On June 3, 2025, AT&S opened the first European work for research, development and production of IC substrates. With an investment of around 500 million euros in the past three years, the new work, Hinterberg 3 "HTB3", will be an important step for the European microelectronics industry. Around 420 employees work on an area of ​​around 11,000 square meters to produce IC substrates that are crucial for modern high-performance microchips.

Michael Mertin, the CEO of AT&S, emphasizes the relevance of microelectronics for prosperity in Europe. Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer emphasizes that microelectronics are a central key technology of the digital age. The Austrian federal government supports the industry with almost 400 million euros for two projects in the field of microelectronics, while the new work is funded as a "innovation smithy" as part of the IPCEI program.

progress in microelectronics

The first patterns of IC substrates have already been delivered to selected customers, and the qualification of new products is planned according to schedule. AT&S has set itself the goal of achieving sales of 2.1 to 2.4 billion euros in the 2026/27 financial year, with the EBITDA margin between 24 and 28 percent. In the 2024/25 financial year, the company generated sales of 1.59 billion euros, which corresponds to growth of 3 percent. EBITDA rose to 606 million euros, an increase of 97 percent, while the group result is 90 million euros after a loss of 37 million euros was recorded in the previous year.

at & s also plays a central role in the EU strategy for creating independent supply chains for microelectronics. The company has made contributions to two EU-financed projects of a common European interest (IPCEI) that are intended to strengthen the microelectronics and semiconductor ecosystem in Europe. On May 20, 2025, AT&S will align the Austrian IPCEI day 2025 in Leoben to present technological progress and developments as part of the IPCEI ME/CT (microelectronics and communication technologies).

meaning of the semiconductor industry

transistors who act as tiny, contactless switches in microchips are crucial for the control of factories, automotive applications and AI systems. Halver managers from which these transistors are manufactured are couplings for digital and green transformation. However, Europe has to struggle with a decline in the market share in semiconductor production - from 21 percent in 2000 to around 8 percent today. The German market share is only 3 percent, which illustrates the need for investments in modern chip plans.

The demand for semiconductors has increased in numerous industries through the progressive digitization and transformation. In Europe, over 60 percent of chips are used in automotive and mechanical engineering, and according to VDMA, the need will be twice as high by 2030. Disruptions in the supply chain could have far -reaching effects on the economy, which is why the microelectronic industry is considered crucial for many economic sectors.

In order to strengthen Europe's competitiveness in the semiconductor market, the EU launched the European Chips Act, which came into force in September 2023. The promotion of innovative research and development projects, for example through the IPCEI program, is of central importance for the future development of the industry.

Overall, the step of AT&S in Leoben is not only an important individual event, but also in the context of the necessary transformation and strengthening of the European semiconductor industry in an increasingly globalized world.

Further information can be found on vienna.at href = "https://ats.net/en/ats-showcases-contributions-to-möder-uropean- microelectronics-ecosystem/"> ats.net and bmwk.de .