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Kontron, a leading global provider of IoT and embedded computer technology (ECT), announced the official launch of its new production line for 5G communication modules at its Düsseldorf site, alongside high-ranking political representatives. To mark the start of production, Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Thomas Jarzombek, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernisation, visited the production site of Kontron Automotive GmbH.
The new production line for 5G Automotive Network Access Devices (NADs) and 5G Industrial M.2 communication modules will consolidate Kontron's position in a key future market. Kontron is the only manufacturer worldwide to develop these modules in Europe and produce them in Germany – from research at its Berlin site to industrial series production in Düsseldorf. Through the strategic expansion of the site, the company is strengthening the resilience of its supply chains and reducing strategic dependencies on non-European suppliers who dominate the global market for communication modules.
"North Rhine-Westphalia is a strong industrial hub and a pivotal driver of the digital transformation. Here in Düsseldorf, Kontron is investing in its own future as well as in Europe's technological independence, data sovereignty, data security, and competitiveness. This represents a convergence of innovation, industrial expertise, and strategic foresight, serving as a prime example of future technology made in Germany," says Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy and Deputy Minister-President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
"The industrial manufacture of key 5G components in Germany is an important step towards Europe's digital sovereignty. Projects like this show how innovation, industrial expertise, and strategic foresight can work together to anchor future-proof technologies in our own economic area, thereby securing and expanding value creation in Germany and Europe," says Thomas Jarzombek, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernisation.
5G communication modules play a crucial role in various industrial applications, including smart factories, connected vehicles, energy systems, medical devices, and critical infrastructure. They are also integral to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), facilitating connectivity and efficiency in numerous industrial sectors. In the rail sector, Kontron is the only supplier offering fully functional modules for FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System), the future Europe-wide 5G-based communication standard for rail transport. The new production line will ensure that Kontron can reliably meet the growing demand for secure 5G and future 6G communication solutions developed in Europe.
"By establishing 5G production in Düsseldorf, we are sending a clear signal in favor of 'Made in Germany' and a strong European technology base," explains Christoph Caselitz, Executive Vice President of Automotive at Kontron and responsible for the Düsseldorf site. "The combination of development in Berlin and manufacturing in Düsseldorf allows for short innovation cycles, high-quality standards, and a reliable supply to our customers."
