On the second day of SMTconnect in Nuremberg, AIDA CCI and PCI, as representatives of the Microelectronics Agenda, made several contacts with companies, research institutes and organizations. These included Fraunhofer IMWS, which specializes in research and development in the area of microstructure of materials and systems for electronics, ASYS Group, a leader in the automation of electronic production, and SEICA, an innovative high-tech company that develops and manufactures test systems, providing manufacturing solutions worldwide. The latter expressed interest in collaborating on a European project with the microelectronics ecosystem in Portugal. Also present was VISCOM AG, one of the world leaders in software solutions and automated optical and X-ray inspection, which continually redefines the standards of inspection technology. Finally, Factronix, a distribution company that covers the entire value chain of the manufacturing process and already supplies equipment to Portugal, representing around 14 manufacturers across Europe, aims to offer SMEs a complete service, from the sale of quality products to on-site maintenance, training and support.
There was also the opportunity to talk to the SMTA, an American non-profit association focused on the electronics sector, which already has representation in Europe (SMTA Europe) and which expressed great concern about the development of skills in the electronics area and the integration of professionals into companies.
In addition, contacts were made with companies that recycle and reclaim tin solder and other valuable metals, such as MTM Ruhrzinn, based in Essen, and Balver Zinn Cobar, based in Balve, highlighting the sector’s concern with the circularity of the raw materials used in the electronics industry.
Replacing plastic with cardboard in the packaging of electronic products and components was another sustainable solution presented by three companies at the fair: Froeb Verpackungen, which has several patented products with unique characteristics, ESD Verpackungen and Hans Kolb.
The Microelectronics Agenda was created as part of the mobilizing agendas of the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan with the aim of strengthening the production and innovation capacity of the national semiconductor and microelectronics industry. It involves a group of 17 partners and seeks to help position Portugal at the forefront of the semiconductor management, production, distribution and recycling market, capable of supplying Europe and other countries worldwide.
The 25 new products, processes and services resulting from the Agenda aim to transform the microelectronics sector and contribute to its resilience, competitiveness and ecological sustainability, and will enable the Portuguese ecosystem to monitor and anticipate the sector’s needs.
The “Microelectronics Agenda” project runs from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024 and is co-financed on a non-repayable basis for a total eligible amount of 6.749,3749.13 by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan through Next Generation EU.
