EU countries must invest for to “mass produce” semiconductors on the old continent in order to reduce dependence on Asia in this strategic sector, especially for the energy transition, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called today.

“We need mass production in Europe”he said at the start of construction of a huge semiconductor factory in Dresden, eastern Germany, along with the German chancellor Olaf Solz.

With this investment of more than 5 billion euros, the German group Infineon will produce from 2026 silicon wafers with a diameter of 300 mm for semiconductors.

It joins the European Union’s struggle to increase its production of these necessary components for the digital industry and ecological transition, where Asia currently prevails.

The 27 member states and the Parliament specifically agreed in mid-April on the goal of reaching 20% ​​of the global market by 2030, twice as much as today.

“We all see to what point the geopolitical risks have increased. That is why it is vital that Europe strengthens its supply chains.” said today Ursula von der Leyen.

“This requires expanding our market share and our production capacity”he added.

Geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan — one of the world’s biggest makers of electrical chips through TSMC Group — are raising supply concerns, as the sector has seen shortages in recent years due to Covid-19 and a glut of demand.

These chips are essential for industry, specifically green technologies (batteries, wind turbines, solar panels) and digital technology.

“We need semiconductors, lots of semiconductors”Chancellor Olaf Solz said, calling the production “21st century oil” during the opening today.

Germany is a stronghold of semiconductor production in Europe, especially the Dresden region which is called “Silicon Saxony”. In addition to German groups such as Bosch and Infineon, the American Intel has a state-of-the-art factory project in Magdeburg, in the north-east of the country.