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AT&S officially inaugurated its new Competence Center for R&D and IC Substrate Production on Tuesday with a high-profile ceremony at its headquarters in Leoben-Hinterberg. Numerous high-ranking guests from politics, industry, and the media were welcomed to the event and given an exclusive tour of the 11,000-square-meter site of cutting-edge technology. With an investment of more than € 500 million, AT&S becomes the first and only company in Europe with local capabilities for developing and producing IC substrates – critical components that deliver power and data to semiconductors in high-performance microchips. The opening of HTB3 represents a significant step in the EU’s strategy to establish an independent microelectronics industry, laying the groundwork for future-defining sectors such as chip manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and green technologies.
“Microelectronics is one of the key technologies of the digital age, without it artificial intelligence is inconceivable. AI needs not only powerful software but also the right hardware. With AT&S, Austria has a global high-tech champion proving that we are capable of much more than just mid-tech,” said Austria’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism, Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, at the HTB3 opening. “This new competence center in Leoben is a strong symbol of Austria’s move beyond the mid-tech trap and toward high-tech leadership. That’s why the federal government is investing nearly €400 million in two Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) in microelectronics – because this key technology is a pillar of our industrial progress.”
“Europe needs to stay in control of key technologies for today and the future – and microelectronics is one of them. Without it, there is no AI, no quantum computing, no sustainable energy,” said AT&S President & CEO Michael Mertin. “Microelectronics is essential for Europe’s long-term success. IC substrates are a vital part of this, as every modern microchip – whether in AI data centers, green power plants, or smartphones – requires IC substrates to interface with memory and power supply.”
With our new competence center in Leoben, we are bringing substrate expertise to Austria, strengthening the European microelectronics ecosystem and laying the foundation for the digital and sustainable industries of tomorrow. “We will take the momentum from the construction phase with us and establish our competence center as a breeding ground for innovation. Europe must stay ahead of the curve, because global competition never sleeps,” Mertin emphasized, adding a clear message to Brussels: “We need a bold and innovative microelectronics strategy for Europe to regain competitiveness. The European Chips Act is a good start, but it cannot replace a comprehensive microelectronics strategy.”
From Leoben to Brussels – United in Innovation
The new AT&S site was supported under the IPCEI program, which aims to boost European research in microelectronics. “We are proud to now offer a fully diversified supply chain across our three sites in Austria, China, and Malaysia – not just globally, but tailored to today’s customer needs,” said Ingolf Schroeder, EVP of the AT&S Microelectronics Business Unit. “We’ve already delivered initial samples to several customers, and product qualification is progressing as planned. We’re proud to co-develop innovative solutions with our customers – that’s what true partnership means. At the same time, we’re successfully diversifying our customer portfolio while making full use of our R&D capabilities.”
The new competence center is not only making waves in Brussels and Vienna, it’s already having a major impact on the Leoben region and the state of Styria. Around 420 new jobs have been created in Hinterberg. Willibald Ehrenhöfer, Styrian Province Councilor for Economic Affairs and Research, emphasized: “With this new facility, AT&S demonstrates how innovation and the creation of future-proof high-tech jobs go hand in hand. This competence center not only strengthens Leoben as a business location but also positions Styria as a key player in Europe’s technology ecosystem. We are committed to expanding our leadership in microelectronics together with AT&S and establishing ourselves as a hotspot for future technologies.”
