**Sopot, Poland**: At ISS Europe 2025, leaders highlighted Poland’s growing importance in Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem, stressing cross-border collaboration, talent development, supply chain resilience, and strategic public-private partnerships to boost competitiveness under the EU Chips Act framework.
At the recent SEMI Industry Strategy Symposium Europe (ISS Europe) 2025 held in Sopot, Poland, senior figures from government, industry, and the investment community gathered to discuss Europe’s rapidly evolving semiconductor landscape. The event featured a dedicated press briefing focusing on Poland’s increasing importance in the semiconductor ecosystem, the role of international cooperation, and the strategic priorities necessary to enhance Europe’s competitiveness in this critical sector.
In the context of the European Union’s Chips Act, which is driving accelerated investment in semiconductor technologies, speakers highlighted that securing Europe’s semiconductor future goes beyond mere financial support. It requires cross-border collaboration, unified public-private sector strategies, and a long-term vision to sustain talent pipelines and robust supply chains.
The briefing included insights from a panel of distinguished leaders: Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe; Agnieszka Sygitowicz, President of The Polish-Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Pawel Pudlowski, Ph.D., Deputy CEO of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH); Monika Morali-Majkut, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board at Atlas Ward; Benedikt Ernst, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy Transformation at Merck Group; Dionys van de Ven, President of Comet Yxlon; and Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen, Chief Commercial Officer at Okmetic.
Addressing the role of the private sector and international partners in developing Poland’s semiconductor ecosystem, Morali-Majkut emphasised Atlas Ward’s involvement in launching SEMICON Supply Poland, a collaborative effort among companies to build a scalable and resilient supply chain. She noted the importance of preparing essential infrastructure such as land, utilities, materials, and specialised services necessary for semiconductor investments and stressed the imperative of cross-border collaboration with regional hubs like Dresden and Prague. “Collaboration across borders is essential,” she said.
Sygitowicz highlighted the philosophy of “building bridges” with Taiwan and other partners, focusing on five key areas: knowledge, people, business, development, and shared success. She explained that Poland’s approach is not to replicate existing ecosystems but to learn from them, aiming for long-term ecosystem maturity beyond initial investment attraction.
The challenge of talent shortages in the semiconductor industry was a significant topic. Morali-Majkut outlined programmes developed in close cooperation with academic institutions to tailor vocational training and university curricula to industry needs. She pointed out that Poland’s technical universities are already active in semiconductor-related research and that investing in education would yield wide-ranging benefits across the economy.
Altimime from SEMI Europe acknowledged the severity of the talent gap in the sector, projecting a shortfall of 271,000 skilled workers in Europe by 2030 if current trends continue. He noted initiatives SEMI is leading to address this challenge, including an Educational Leaders Board comprising 18 consortium members and outreach activities to connect students and educational institutions with industry. He observed, “We’re pushing forward both public and private sector engagement to ensure the continuity of growth and innovation.”
Regarding supply chain resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties, Ernst stressed that Europe’s existing semiconductor strengths should be the foundation for further development. He called for better coordination between government and industry to direct efforts cohesively and avoid fragmentation. Van de Ven emphasised the industry’s need for global operational freedom, cautioning that trade controls and intellectual property restrictions could hinder progress. He advocated for policies enabling open access to global markets and encouraged companies to integrate with fabs and universities to build ecosystems rooted in talent and innovation.
Sygitowicz elaborated on Poland’s strategic advantages, including ready-to-develop land, financial incentives such as grants and tax exemptions, and expanding ecosystem services. Government support for talent development and innovation is growing, she said, with startups, accelerators, and academic partnerships playing increasing roles.
Vuorikari-Antikainen highlighted the importance of speed in competitiveness, noting that European countries like Poland could distinguish themselves by creating fast-track mechanisms for permitting and project execution. She linked agility with the strength of education and startup ecosystems as key to long-term resilience.
Altimime cautioned against country-centric approaches, emphasising Europe’s strength in regional diversity, with different areas excelling in specific technologies like photonics, advanced packaging, and quantum technologies. He referenced initiatives connecting research and technology organisations across Europe that are revitalising historic strengths.
Discussion of a potential second Chips Act by the European Commission included reflections on lessons from the first. Van de Ven suggested the importance of straightforward support mechanisms that empower private companies to invest and expand efficiently. Pudlowski acknowledged that while Poland did not benefit as much as its potential warranted from the initial Chips Act, the nation is now poised for stronger involvement due to its national semiconductor strategy and increased visibility through engagement with organisations like SEMI.
He encouraged Polish companies to raise their profile proactively within Brussels and Europe to ensure their capabilities are recognised. Altimime described Poland’s national chip strategy as “a proven model” combining strategic clarity, government support, and industry alignment, which he predicts will lead to greater integration of Poland into Europe’s semiconductor value chain.
Morali-Majkut remarked on the shifting perceptions of Poland within the global semiconductor ecosystem. While countries such as Germany and the Czech Republic have traditionally been more recognised, she stressed Poland’s critical role in Europe’s industrial supply chain, underscored by its engineering talent, cost-effective industrial land, and geographic advantage. She advocated for viewing Poland as part of a collaborative regional hub alongside Germany and the Czech Republic rather than as a standalone entity.
The SEMI ISS Europe 2025 briefing thus illustrated Poland’s advancing role in Europe’s semiconductor ambitions, supported by collaborative efforts across government, industry, academia, and international partnerships. Continued strategic coordination and talent development are seen as essential components to building a competitive and resilient European semiconductor ecosystem.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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