The world of semiconductors: between geopolitics and tech race
The Covid crisis has heightened awareness of the dependence that can exist when it comes to chips, which are now everywhere. The European Union has been slow to react but has now introduced the Chip Act. Is there still time? Is it enough? Is it the right answer? IndustriAll Europe wanted to find out more about this crucial issue and commissioned a study from Syndex to try and shed some light on it.
This study highlights:
1- The main features of the semiconductor industry
The semiconductor market has been worth almost $600 billion in recent years. It is experiencing a high rate of growth, which could see it reach $1,000 billion by the end of the decade. All segments should see strong growth (7% CAGR), but the automotive (13%) and industrial (9%) sectors should enjoy even more spectacular momentum.
2- An overview of public policies all around the world
The European Union is not the only region of the world to have chosen to react to its heavy dependence on a handful of countries. Plans to attract or repatriate production and/or R&D have been announced on every continent. A lot of public money is being poured everywhere to attract investments. Which can be highly questionable when there are no conditionalities.
3- the European strategy and the efforts to be made on skills, working conditions and environemental issues
Investment in the semiconductor industry will lead to a sharp rise in employment in the sector, which according to Deloitte will increase from €2 million today to €3 million by 2030. This will increase pressure on recruitment, with direct competition for many skills with the GAFAMs and the automotive sector, but above all between geographical regions. Like all geographic regions, Europe is already facing a skills shortage in the microelectronics sector, which is bound to increase over the coming years.
Find the study below in English and French