News from the Regions in Structural Change | April 2024

Air Liquide builds nitrogen plants for Saxony's microelectronics industry

Industrial gas supplier Air Liquide has reported record-breaking order backlogs based on growing demand from Saxony’s microelectronics sector.  The upturn in the microelectronics sector is driving industrial gas demand to such a degree that Air Liquide is expanding both production capacity and workforce size. In 2022, the gas supplier announced record order numbers and secured the largest single contract in the company’s history in 2023. The company has now converted 500 sqm of floor space into warehouses at its Ottendorf-Okrilla site, with “last mile” transport volume to the customer more than doubled. Subsidiary company Air Liquide Electronics has also hired new technicians and engineers to cope with demand. According to Air Liquide Managing Director Wolfgang Steiner, recent investment announcements by TSMC, Infineon and other semiconductor manufacturers active in the Dresden region represent “another milestone” for the state of Saxony as a leading semiconductor location. “We are following the developments surrounding TSMC very closely” he said, observing that “the relocation will create another strong pillar of the European semiconductor industry here in Silicon Saxony.” 

Ciech continues investment in Stassfurt

Polish chemicals concern Ciech has announced plans to invest a further EUR 25 million in its soda works in Stassfurt, Saxony-Anhalt. The new investment by the company, one of the European Union’s largest soda producers, comes after a EUR 300 million investment in the modernization of its facility in Stassfurt. 

Liechtenstein group expands Hoyerswerda capacity

Liechtenstein-based heating and indoor climate technology concern Hoval AG plans to increase the workforce at its Yados subsidiary company in Hoyerswerda, Saxony. The EUR 20 million investment will see the local workforce almost double to more than 600 staff. The regionial state of Saxony is also contributing to the investment that comes in response to increased demand for heat pumps and district heating components. Production space will also be doubled to around 24 thousand sqm by the end of the year, with operations scheduled for the start of 2025.

Saxony and Czechia plan joint hydrogen network

The federal state of Saxony and Czechia plan to set up a cross-border hydrogen network. The Saxon Ministry of Economic Affairs also announced that it seeks to promote exchange and mutual partnerships between research institutions and companies in Czechia and Germany. The rapid development of pipeline infrastructure for the transportation of hydrogen is of great importance to the two partners, with hydrogen gaining in importance as an energy carrier and chemicals industry demand for the gas. Existing natural gas pipelines will be converted to create the new hydrogen infrastructure, with large quantities of hydrogen from eastern and southern Europe at low cost envisioned by 2029. 

Saxony and Czechia develop hydrogen motorcycle

A consortium of companies and research institutes from Saxony and Czechia are working together to develop a hydrogen-powered motorcycle. Czech partners are working on vehicle development including structure and ergonomics for the motorcycle for the hydrogen age, while German project partners will focus their activities on powertrain development.  WätaS Wärmetauscher Sachsen GmbH is developing a new generation of fuel cell stacks as the basis for the powertrain, with the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU in Chemnitz supporting the development of new manufacturing technologies and stack functionality improvement within the Reference-factory.H2. According to Fraunhofer IWU, a roadworthy demonstrator “hydrocycle” that meets European approval standards and certification regulations will be built by 2025.

Schott equips for chip future with special glass in Jena

Glass manufacturer Schott is developing a new glass for semiconductor production at its founding site in Jena. Improved thermal properties, higher data-transfer rates and optimized computing power for AI applications are seeing large chip manufacturers switch to glass instead of plastic in semiconductor production. According to reports, almost EUR 17 million will be invested at the Jena facility, with new applications – including cockpit glass and in the auto sector – for the borosilicate glass produced also foreseen. 

Chemnitz researchers improve data protection in augmented reality applications

Researchers at the Chemnitz University of Technology have developed an augmented reality (AR) application that can significantly improve data protection when using AR apps on smart devices. The data protection compliant app can recognize important objects while simultaneously anonymizing users who are recorded by distorting sensitive information caught on camera. According to “TrustAR” researchers, improved data protection will increase trust in AR technology, thereby leading to better and more widespread use. One possible area of application being proposed is the use of “telepresence” robots in public spaces that would benefit from the app’s ability to recognize and anonymize individual faces in under 10 milliseconds, ensuring that the data protection rights of passers-by are maintained. 

Funding for German Aerospace Center “E-Fuel” project in Leuna secured

Funding has been secured for the German Aerospace Center’s proposed “E-Fuel” Center in Leuna, Saxony-Anhalt. The federal state has announced initial funding of EUR 30 million, set to rise to EUR 100 million by 2027. The research project, intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions – particularly in the air traffic sector – is considered the largest facility of its kind in the world. The new facility will initially produce hydrogen from renewable power and water sources to produce synthetic crude oil using chemical processes.