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Villach (APA) – The inauguration ceremony of the Infineon Technology Group took place in Villach on Saturday afternoon. EUR 1.6 billion will be invested in the coming years and by 2021 around 750 additional jobs will be created. This is the largest private investment project in Austria in recent decades.
At the heart of the expansion is the construction of a fully automated chip factory for the production of power semiconductors on thin slices of 300 millimeters. On its own, 400 highly skilled jobs need to be created. In addition, a new construction complex for research and development will be built on the site.
The investment at the Villach site is justified by the "rapidly increasing demand" caused by international trends such as climate change or digitization. Power semiconductors are used, for example, in electric vehicles, in networked devices, battery operated, data centers or in the production of electricity from renewable sources. Power semiconductors are energy saving chips that most effectively control the flow of current in various applications.
Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), Ministers Margarete Schramböck (ÖVP) and Norbert Hofer (FPÖ) and Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ) also attended the inauguration ceremony. Infineon's trip was evident from the start of the event: Gabriel, Kurz and Reinhard Ploss, CEO of Infineon, were driving in an Audi Elaine, a fully automated and electrically powered SUV coupe, the first times outside the VW The group was introduced.
"Research and development has become a geopolitical strategic factor, the force shaping the 21st century – that is, whoever is able to develop and produce technology, who does it – who does not – will be determined," said Sabine Herlitschka, CEO of Infineon Technologies Austria, from the beginning of the event.
European Commissioner Gabriel stressed that investment was above all a sign of the good conditions offered by Austria for the economy. Microelectronics is a "key to the digital future": "This investment will strengthen Europe's global competitiveness," said Chancellor Kurz above all about the jobs created. With investment, Austria could position itself in the global competition for key skills.
"It's important for us to understand that technology can improve our lives," said Infineon's general manager, Mr. Ploss. Artificial intelligence should not be perceived as a threat: "If we want our children to live more easily, we must use our resources differently." For the Villach site, they decided, because here a team "with wild energy, To overcome the obstacles works, the people who want to make a difference".
The Minister of Economy, Schramböck, spoke about the consequences of such an investment, from construction companies to start-ups. "Before scanning, you should not be afraid because you do not have to worry about the steam engine," said Transport Minister Hofer. New technologies would also create new jobs. And Governor Kaiser stressed that the investment was strengthening Europe and especially the south of Austria. Carinthia thus benefits from a "Turbo Boost" – with the innovative start of a new chapter in the history of Carinthia.
Eventually, the honored guests were supported by the robot "Panda" with a shovel, which mimics the activities and learns them as well.
~ WEB http://www.infineon.com/austria ~ APA202 2018-11-10 / 17: 30
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