Post by FMD - Forschungsfabrik Mikroelektronik Deutschland

#InternationalCooperation | During her first foreign trip to Berlin, Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy Heleen Herbert met with FMD experts at Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik to discuss how Germany and the Netherlands can work more closely together in microelectronics and photonics. The exchange started from a shared challenge: Europe needs stronger links between applied research, innovation infrastructure and industrial application. 💎 From the FMD perspective, Stephan Guttowski, FMD Managing Director, brought in the example of the APECS Pilot Line. APECS already shows how European partners can work together on shared infrastructure and make it accessible for industry. This perspective made the discussion with the Dutch delegation particularly relevant for the next steps between FMD and TNO, as well as between APECS and other European pilot lines such as PIXEurope. 💎💎 The visit also gave the Dutch delegation a closer look at how FMD combines expertise across Germany’s microelectronics research landscape. Patrick Scheele, Scientific Managing Director at FBH, provided insights into the institute’s work and its role within the broader FMD ecosystem. The exchange also addressed talent as a strategic factor for the semiconductor sector, with the Microtec Academy as one example of how qualified specialists can be attracted, trained and retained. Beyond the institutional perspectives, the discussion looked at the German and Dutch research and industry landscapes, current challenges in the European semiconductor sector, and the question of how applied research can support companies more effectively, including in enabling AI applications. 💎💎💎 The main takeaway: German-Dutch cooperation in microelectronics and photonics has clear potential to move from exchange to implementation. Applied research, industry-oriented infrastructure and the closer alignment of European pilot lines can provide the framework for that. The partners will now continue the dialogue in dedicated follow-up meetings. Thank you to Minister Heleen Herbert, to all participating FMD experts including Stephan Guttowski, Patrick Scheele and Felix Mohn, and to the whole team at Leibniz Ferdinand-Braun-Institut for hosting the exchange, as well as to the Dutch delegation for the open and constructive dialogue: Erwin Nijsse, Director-General for Business and Innovation Maarten Smit, Director of European and International Affairs Jaga (Jadwiga) Schreiber, Senior Policy Advisor for European and International Affairs Mira Woldberg, Deputy Ambassador Ko Voskuilen, Innovation Attaché Joop Gilijamse, Senior Innovation Advisor Noortje ten Wolde, Innovation Advisor 📷 Pic 1: © Fraunhofer Mikroelektronik 📷 Pic 2-4: © Ferdinand Braun Institut, Leibniz Institut für Höchsfrequenztechnik