Saxony embraces nuclear energy by establishing a partnership with TSMC for radiation-based power generation.
Saxony, a region in eastern Germany, is experiencing a significant surge in the semiconductor sector, with expectations of around 100,000 jobs by the end of the decade. This growth is partly due to the increasing importance of the Taiwanese market, as highlighted at the World Future Summit (WFS).
The Silicon Saxony cluster, Europe's largest microelectronics site, is currently the fifth largest worldwide. Comprising around 3,600 companies and employing around 83,000 people, the cluster is concentrated in Dresden but also extends to Chemnitz and other regions.
Last week, Saxony's Economics Minister, Dirk Panter, visited Taiwan to attend the Semiconductor Expo and meet with companies such as Foxconn. He was joined by Thomas Horn, CEO of the Saxony Economic Development Corporation (WFS). The demand at the Saxony stand was high, due to the popularity of Taiwanese chip giant TSMC, which is building a factory in Dresden for the production of chips for the automotive industry.
The settlement of TSMC in Dresden, according to Panter, has a 'special radiance' that will further advance the Silicon Saxony cluster. Other companies, including Infineon and Globalfoundries, are currently investing heavily in Saxony.
Air Liquide, an industrial gas manufacturer, plans to build a new production plant to supply the semiconductor industry in Saxony. The company already operates a site in Ottendorf-Okrilla. Further investments are hoped for following talks during a ministerial visit to Taiwan.
In addition to TSMC, companies like Topco Scientific Co., a TSMC supplier, are planning to open their first European branch in Dresden by mid-2026. Other companies, such as Infineon and Globalfoundries, are also currently investing heavily, and potential investments from other companies are under discussion, although details cannot be disclosed at this time.
Over the past 20 years, the Taiwanese market has become increasingly important for Saxony. In 2024, Saxony exported goods worth almost 1.6 billion euros to Taiwan, compared to around 202.8 million euros in 2005. Electrical engineering, automotive, and mechanical engineering products are the main focus of exports and imports between Saxony and Taiwan.
18 companies from Saxony presented products in the areas of manufacturing, packaging, sustainability, and precision sensors at the German pavilion in Taiwan. Dirk Panter described the situation as a 'double win-win situation', benefiting both the attraction of new companies to Saxony and the growth of local companies. He hopes for further investments in the semiconductor industry in his state.
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