Breaking New Ground
Semiconductors – A Global Boom Reshaping Europe
Semiconductors are the backbone of the modern world – without them, life as we know it would grind to a halt. No smartphones, no electric cars, no medical technology, no cloud data centers, no AI models. Global demand is rising rapidly, driven by electric vehicles, digitalization, and the explosive expansion of AI infrastructure.
Unfortunately, Europe long underestimated their strategic importance and is now heavily dependent on Asian manufacturers. But the EU now aims to change that with the EU Chips Act. The goal is to bring the entire value chain – from production to process chemicals and specialty materials –back to Europe. The ultimate goal is to secure Europe’s technological independence and increase semiconductor supply security for critical industries.
For LANXESS, this is creating a market that is not only growing but is also being actively supported by policymakers. With its broad portfolio spanning the entire process chain – from ultrapure acids and ion-exchange resins to specialty chemicals – the company is well-positioned to become a key partner to the growing European semiconductor industry.
Opportunities for LANXESS:
• Chance to help shape a key market for transportation, energy, communications, and AI
• Opportunities arising from the expansion of local chip production in Europe and the trend toward regional supply chains
• Access to a segment experiencing above-average growth (approximately 5% annually for process chemicals)
• Broad LANXESS portfolio covering the entire process chain: Ultrapure acids, ion exchange resins for ultrapure water, Oxone® for PCB treatment or as an etching agent, additives for corrosion protection, specialty chemicals from Saltigo
• Pooling our strengths: seven BUs are joining forces to operate as a single semiconductor supplier
What’s happening right now:
• The Semiconductor Circle, which includes members from the BUs and DEV, is meeting regularly
• AI-driven identification of growth opportunities, with an initial focus on the APAC region