SemiVoice

Chips Act EU SEMI funding innovation investment semiconductor

6 months ago

SEMI’s EU chip proposals

➀ SEMI has published recommendations for the EU to strengthen its semiconductor ecosystem; ➁ The recommendations aim to achieve a 20% global market share by 2030; ➂ The SEMI Europe Recommendations paper emphasizes the importance of strategic investments and robust policy frameworks.

6 months ago

Taxpayer Support For Profitable Companies Seems Bonkers

➀ The EU's semiconductor support strategy seems to have devolved into a parody with the ESIA director general suggesting support for legacy chips. ➁ The original purpose of semiconductor support strategies was to regain European leadership in chip technology. ➂ The European authorities abandoned setting technology and market targets in exchange for tax money, leading to the funding of profitable companies without conditions.

EU semiconductor

Automotive Industry China EU technology

7 months ago

Intel vs EU

➀ The EU ordered Intel to repay a $1 billion fine plus interest for anti-competitive practices; ➁ The EU accused Intel of paying manufacturers and retailers to restrict competitors' product commercialization and delaying AMD product launches; ➂ Intel denied the allegations, stating that there were no conditions attached to the rebates and no attempts to delay AMD product launches.

AMD EU Intel Manufacturers

weixin

8 months ago

Why China Decides the Fate of the EU

➀ Macron warns that if the EU continues with its traditional agenda, it may be left behind by the market and could collapse; ➁ The EU's problem is not just short-term economic difficulties but a lack of advanced productivity; ➂ The EU has been struggling to keep up with technological advancements in new energy and renewable energy sectors, with China taking the lead; ➃ China's automotive industry is gaining ground in Europe, raising concerns among EU policymakers.

EU Microchip NXP Semiconductors Renesas STMicroelectronics cybersecurity security

8 months ago

Avnet Silica bolsters customer Cyber Resilience Act compliance

➀ Avnet Silica outlines its strategy for supporting customers’ compliance with the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act (CRA); ➁ The company provides a range of device management and provisioning services; ➂ Avnet Silica is leading a series of workshops across Europe to cover compliance issues.

EU European Commission Thierry Breton Ursula von der Leyen business resignation

8 months ago

Breton goes in spat with VdL

➀ France's European Commissioner Thierry Breton has resigned following a spat with newly re-elected EC President Ursula von der Leyen; ➁ Breton had been appointed by Macron to serve a second term as EU commissioner, but von der Leyen requested the French government to withdraw his name; ➂ Breton announced his resignation on Twitter with a picture of a blank picture frame.

imore

Apple loses $14bn Irish tax case against the EU

1. Apple loses landmark tax case against the EU and is ordered to pay €14.5 billion in unpaid taxes to Ireland; 2. The ruling ends a 10-year battle over Apple's tax payments in Ireland; 3. Apple expresses disappointment with the decision, emphasizing it has always paid all taxes owed and questioning the retroactive nature of the ruling.

Apple EU Ireland tax dispute

Chips Act EU semiconductor

More Chip Slush Funds Please

➀ The European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA) is requesting a second Chips Act without accounting for the outcomes of the first one, which failed to boost EU chip production to 20% of the global market. ➁ The only proposed initiative for leading-edge chip manufacturing in Europe, Intel at Magdeburg, seems increasingly unlikely. ➂ ESIA is asking for a chip envoy, reduced export restrictions, and quicker distribution of aid, indicating a preference for continuous financial support without tangible deliverables.

China export restrictions double EU Ga and Ge prices.

➀ China's export controls on germanium and gallium have caused their prices in Europe to nearly double over the past year. ➁ China is the dominant producer of both materials, accounting for 98% of the world's gallium and 60% of germanium. ➂ The restrictions are expected to encourage more recycling, exploration of alternatives, and increased mining operations.

China EU semiconductor

ESMC breaks ground on Dresden fab

➀ ESMC, a joint venture between TSMC, Bosch, Infineon, and NXP, has started construction on its first fab in Dresden, with the EU approving a €5 billion subsidy from the German government for the €10 billion project. ➁ The facility, when operational, will produce 40,000 300mm wafers monthly using TSMC's 28/22nm planar CMOS and 16/12nm FinFET technologies, creating around 2,000 direct jobs and stimulating numerous indirect jobs. ➂ The project aims to be environmentally friendly, including energy-efficient construction and water reclamation, with plans to obtain LEED certification.

Bosch Dresden EU Germany Infineon NXP TSMC fab semiconductor

reuters

EU Approves 5 Billion Euro German Aid for ESMc Semiconductor Plant in Dresden

➀ The European Union has approved a 5 billion euro aid package from Germany for the establishment of a semiconductor manufacturing plant by ESMc in Dresden. ➁ This move is part of a broader strategy to boost Europe's semiconductor industry and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. ➂ The plant is expected to start operations in 2024, significantly enhancing Europe's capacity in semiconductor production.

EU Germany semiconductor

zdnet

10 months ago

EU Enacts World's First AI Legislation

1. The European Union (EU) has enacted the world's first AI legislation to promote the safe and responsible development and use of AI technology. 2. The law, which took effect on the 1st of this month, includes strict regulations for high-risk and generative AI systems. 3. The legislation sets a global standard with its risk-based approach and penalties for non-compliance.

AI EU Regulation

tomshardware

10 months ago

Microsoft's EU agreement means it will be hard to avoid CrowdStrike-like calamities in the future

❶ Microsoft's agreement with the EU prevents it from blocking kernel access to third-party developers, which could have avoided the recent CrowdStrike outage. ❷ The agreement requires Microsoft to make Windows APIs available to other developers, fostering a competitive market for security products. ❸ The inability to restrict kernel access may lead to future similar incidents, highlighting the importance of thorough testing and safe deployment practices.

EU Microsoft Windows

EU Intelligent Speed Assistance automotive technology

Continentals Being Bossy

1. The EU has mandated Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology in all new cars sold from July 7th. 2. ISA uses satellite and digital mapping data to regulate vehicle speed. 3. The system can be overridden by the driver, but the long-term implications remain uncertain.

Geopolitical EVs

1. The EU has proposed provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), in addition to the existing 10% duty. 2. The tariffs vary, with a 20.8% additional duty for 13 car manufacturers that cooperated with the EU's investigation, and higher rates for specific companies like BYD, Geely, and SAIC. 3. The situation is expected to remain fluid until the EU's investigation concludes in November, with potential strategies for Chinese manufacturers including setting up foreign plants or focusing on exporting hybrids.

Chinese EVs EU Tariffs

China chip imports give EU a headache

1. The EU faces challenges in protecting its major chip-makers from a surge of Chinese legacy chip imports; 2. The EU has initiated a targeted consultation with the European electronics industry to understand the use of legacy chips; 3. The Big Three European chip-makers' strategy of focusing on legacy processes leaves them vulnerable to Chinese competition.

China EU chip industry

hardwareluxx