The Microelectronics Agenda’s participation in SEMICON Europe 2024, held in Munich, was marked by four intense days of promotion, networking and strategic partnerships, consolidating Portugal’s role on the global microelectronics and semiconductor scene. From meetings with organizations to participation in high-level debates, the Agenda highlighted the Portuguese ecosystem and explored new opportunities for collaboration.
Opportunities for cooperation and sustainability highlighted
The event began with an important meeting at the AICEP stand, where the Microelectronics Agenda, represented by AIDA CCI, HFA, PCI and PICadvanced, discussed the growth of the semiconductor sector in Portugal with Pedro Pinto de Sousa and Marta Pais Vieira Conseur, from AICEP. Topics such as the potential of the Aveiro District, economic stability and the qualification of Portuguese human resources were discussed. AICEP highlighted the need to increase Portugal’s presence at international events in order to promote national excellence.
Another significant moment was the meeting with Business France, which resulted in the proposal of a networking space with French companies. The CxO Summit was also a highlight, with discussions on sustainability and innovation, led by figures such as Laith Altimime (SEMI Europe) and Ajit Manocha (SEMI).
Advances in photonics and strengthening ties
On the second day, attention turned to developments in photonics technology. The Agenda took part in presentations on III-V semiconductors and debates on photonic integration for 6G networks and applications in health and mobility. AICEP’s visit to the stand highlighted innovations from HFA and INESC-MN, and there were discussions about the PCI’s role in incubating technological start-ups.
The promotion of the Agenda included contacts with companies such as Electronmec and SERMA Group from France, as well as others such as Chip 1 from the Netherlands and AET80 from Italy. During the course of the day, the Portuguese companies present at the fair were also visited, with the aim of publicizing the Microelectronics consortium, products, services and technologies developed.
Partnerships for intelligent mobility
The third day focused on promoting the Portuguese ecosystem and strategic partnerships, with meetings with entities such as the Economic Chamber of Carinthia and the HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia and the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster. The Global GAAC Summit – Smart Mobility Forum highlighted the importance of semiconductors in sustainable mobility, while the session on Electrification and Power Semiconductors addressed advances in silicon carbide (SiC) devices for renewable energy. Strategic contacts continued with companies such as JANtronic and Croma ATE, reinforcing the commitment to technological innovation.
Closing with new contacts and future partnerships
On the final day, the Microelectronics Agenda kept up the momentum, establishing new contacts with entities such as Semicon Supply Poland and the Estonian Electronics Industries Association. Companies such as QS – Quartz Solutions (USA) and BSH Hausgeräte GmbH (Germany) visited the stand, ending the event with an optimistic outlook for future collaborations.
SEMICON Europe 2024 provided Agenda Microeletrónica with a valuable platform to strengthen its international presence, promote the Portugal brand and consolidate partnerships. Active participation in forums and the establishment of strategic contacts were key to projecting the Portuguese ecosystem in the global semiconductor sector.
Created as part of the mobilizing agendas of the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Microelectronics Agenda aims to strengthen the production and innovation capacity of the national semiconductor and microelectronics industry. It involves a group of 17 partners and seeks to help position Portugal at the forefront of the semiconductor management, production, distribution and recycling market, capable of supplying Europe and other countries worldwide.
The 25 new products, processes and services resulting from the Agenda aim to transform the microelectronics sector and contribute to its resilience, competitiveness and ecological sustainability, and will enable the Portuguese ecosystem to monitor and anticipate the sector’s needs.
The Microelectronics Agenda has a total eligible budget of €67,493,749.21, of which €30,048,411.91 is funded by the NextGenerationEU initiative. With the completion of the project scheduled for June 30, 2025, Portugal intends to establish itself as a leader in the global semiconductor sector, having already executed more than 60% of the budget and made significant progress in product development, sustainability and workforce training.
