Infineon Opens New Semiconductor Plant in Dresden

Chip manufacturer Infineon plans to double its production capacity in Dresden and will open a new plant on Thursday (11:00 a.m.). The Smart Power Fab is a truly monumental project that cost around five billion euros. About one billion of that comes from public funding. The production facility will create about 1,000 new jobs.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) had canceled his attendance at the opening due to scheduling conflicts. He will now be represented by Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU). In addition, Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of Infineon Technologies AG, and Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) will deliver welcoming remarks. 

Construction is proceeding at record speed and is being completed ahead of schedule

Just three years have passed since the groundbreaking in early May 2023 until completion. The plant will go into operation three months earlier than planned. Infineon intends to manufacture power semiconductors here, which are used in electric cars, renewable energy systems, data centers, and industrial facilities, among other applications. The chips are produced on 300-millimeter wafers. 

The factory building rises over 40 meters high and extends 22 meters deep into the ground. The cleanroom spans two floors and covers an area roughly the size of three soccer fields. The flawless production of the microscopically small chip structures requires a dust-free environment. The fab is powered entirely by green electricity and uses industrial water instead of drinking water.