Semiconductor Alliance ESRA Annual Meeting in Brussels – Bringing chip production to Europe as a common goal

The European Semiconductor Regions Alliance (ESRA) held its annual meeting on 3 July in Brussels. The alliance adopted a joint position paper outlining the key priorities for the next phase of the European Chips Act. The Pirkanmaa Regional Council was represented at the meeting by Harri Airaksinen, Director of the EU Office.

The Semiconductor Alliance ESRA aims to promote cooperation between different actors in the European semiconductor sector. As one of the founding members, our region is actively involved in the alliance’s activities. Currently, a key focus of influence is the preparation of the second phase of the EU chip regulation.

The joint position paper emphasizes the development of regional ecosystems, the strengthening of the European value chain, and the importance of skilled workers.

In our speech, we highlighted the importance of increasing demand, the criticality of chip design, and the importance of the defense industry and dual-use products as key applications for semiconductors. To increase demand, it is essential to get companies to use European semiconductors in their own products. There are currently too few companies in Europe that excel in chip design. Therefore, we must also support the design and application phase as part of the value chain. Regional ecosystems and SMEs must also be better involved.

The challenge for the defence industry has been the exclusion of too many funding opportunities. Design platforms and pilot lines should also be available to defence companies, as this sector is one of the key applications for semiconductors. This is particularly critical for Europe’s strategic autonomy.

The European Semiconductor Regions Alliance is an excellent framework through which we will influence the next phase of the Chips Act. We are actively collaborating with different regions to develop the European chip value chain.