We are pleased to announce that ICOS will organise a workshop on December 4th in Malta in the framework of the EFECS conference.*
This side event will focus on the key outcomes of the Horizon Europe ICOS CSA aimed at strengthening International Cooperation on Semiconductors for European economic resilience.
The session will highlight the following analyses and recommendations:
- An assessment of strengths and weaknesses across the semiconductor value chains within EU and in leading semiconductor countries, including strategic dependencies, market growth, and cooperation opportunities based on the development of partnerships
- Identification of priority research topics for international cooperation, based on emerging technologies and critical needs related to technologies for advanced computation and advanced functionalities
- Semiconductor partnerships, with a focus on building cooperative frameworks on initiatives of mutual interest.
*This event is a satellite event of the EFECS conference. In addition to the registration at the workshop, confirmation of registration at EFECS is mandatory to be able to attend the event.
16:00 – 17:45
Chair: Francis Balestra
16:00 – 16:20
Presentation of Key Results of International Cooperation on Semiconductors for European Economic Resilience: Francis Balestra, ICOS Coordinator, Grenoble INP/CNRS/SiNANO Institute Director Emeritus
Bio
Francis Balestra, CNRS Research Director at CROMA, is Director Emeritus of the European SINANO Institute and President of IEEE Electron Device Society France, and has been Director of several Research labs. He coordinated several European Projects (NEREID, NANOFUNCTION, NANOSIL, etc.) that have represented unprecedented collaborations in Europe in the field of Nanoelectronics, and is currently coordinator of the Horizon Europe ICOS project dedicated to International Cooperation on Semiconductors with leading semiconductor countries.
He founded and organized many international Conferences, and has co-authored more than 500 publications.
He is member of several European Scientific Councils, of the Advisory Committees of International Journals and of the IRDS (International Roadmap for Devices and Systems) International Roadmap Committee, as representative of Europe.
Abstract
This presentation will deal with the Horizon Europe ICOS CSA project dedicated to International Cooperation On Semiconductors. International cooperation is key for knowledge exchange, speeding up technological innovation, reducing cost by avoiding duplicated research, boosting the resilience of the semiconductor value and supply chains, manage risks due to the turbulent geopolitical context, overcoming skill shortage, study gaps in standardisation, strengthen Europe’s position in the semiconductor area representing pivotal technologies for almost all existing industrial sectors, is encouraged by the new strategies of leading semiconductor countries and is one of the objectives of the EU Chips Act. The recent ICOS results will be highlighted in this Workshop.
16:20 – 16:40
Analysis of the International Economic Landscape to Identify Cooperation Opportunities: Léo St Martin – Decision Etudes & Conseil
Bio
Léo Saint-Martin is a strategy consultant and partner at DECISION Etudes & Conseil. DECISION provides market research and strategic consulting across the electronics value chain to policymakers, industry associations, and private companies at both the EU and global levels.
Since 2023, Léo has been managing the economic analysis of the semiconductor industry within the ICOS project (International Cooperation On Semiconductors), on behalf of DECISION.
Léo has also overseen the analysis of skills intelligence and talent gaps of the European semiconductor industry since 2019 within the framework of the European Chips Skills Academy project (formerly METIS – Microelectronics Training, Industry and Skills).
He has managed and authored numerous studies carried out by DECISION for the European Commission, French government bodies, industry associations, and companies on topics related to the electronics value chain and end-user industries (automotive, defence & security, industrial & robotics, cloud computing, etc.).
Abstract
During this ICOS workshop session, Léo will further develop the analysis introduced in the morning panel, providing deeper insights and discussion aligned with the workshop’s focus on practical cooperation opportunities. He will present the current positioning of the European Union’s industrial ecosystem within the global semiconductor value chain, particularly in comparison with the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore. Building on this analysis, he will highlight potential areas for cooperation amid increasing geopolitical tensions
16:40 – 17:00
Opportunities for Cooperation between the EU and other Countries in the Emerging Technologies Landscape of Advanced Computation: Giorgos Fagas – Tyndall / Director of the SiNANO Institute
Bio
Giorgos Fagas (PhD, MBA) is the Director of Strategic Development at Tyndall and a member of its Executive Leadership team. He is responsible for shaping the Institute’s overall international positioning, initiating and overseeing major strategic initiatives, and managing the collective strategic planning process.
Giorgos holds the Directorship of the SiNANO Institute, serves as the Europe Chair for the Industry Association for Microelectronics and Electronic Systems Design in Ireland (MIDAS), and is a member of the Executive Committee of EPoSS and the AENEAS Scientific Council.
Giorgos is key contributor to major international strategic research and innovation agendas, including the ECS-SRIA and IRDS. He has led EU-funded programmes such as ASCENT+ and INFRACHIP, which provided open access to infrastructure for early-stage research on nanoelectronics and semiconductor chips, and has overseen the ICOS-project activity on Technology Scanning and Foresight, focused on international cooperation in semiconductors.
Abstract
We will present the ICOS analysis on the drivers of future technologies in advanced computation and the apparent strengths and weaknesses of Europe and other advanced semiconductor countries.
17:00 – 17:20
Future Emerging Technologies and early Recommendations for International Cooperation on Advanced Functionalities: Jyrki Kiihamäki – VTT
Bio
Dr. Jyrki Kiihamäki has worked at VTT for over 37 years, currently serving as Co-Creation Manager in the Microelectronics and Quantum Technologies research area. He earned his Master’s (1988), Licentiate (1992), and Doctoral (2005) degrees from Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University). From 2006 to 2012, Dr. Kiihamäki led the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MEMS and MEMS teams. He subsequently held strategic leadership roles, including Acting Vice President of Strategic Research in Microtechnologies and Electronics (2012–2013) and Research Manager of the Microelectronics research area (2014–2016). In his current role, he continues to drive innovation and collaboration across advanced technology domains. He represents VTT in the AENEAS and EPoSS industry associations and is a member of the Xecs Technical Expert Group (TEG).
Abstract
This presentation covers the main ICOS findings on potential research topics for international collaboration on semiconductors in the area of advanced functionalities. It is based on ICOS deliverables analyzing emerging technologies for advanced functionalities, as well as a study on cooperation cases related to advanced functionality.
17:20 – 17:40
The Path to the Future – Guidelines for International Cooperation on Semiconductor: Mélanie Hentsche – VDI-VDE
Bio
Dr. Melanie Hentsche is a highly experienced materials scientist and project manager specializing in new materials and microsystems. She holds a PhD in Materials Science and has a strong track record in research and development, including roles at SolarWorld Innovations GmbH and different Fraunhofer institutes. She has successfully led numerous publicly funded research projects and demonstrates strong communication and coordination skills. Since 2022, she has been a consultant and project manager at VDE/VDI IT. Her expertise encompasses renewable energies, photovoltaics, project management, material development, and characterization.
Abstract
This presentation outlines the status and the future of international cooperation wirh leading semiconductor countries, highlighting key achievements and challenges. It will give an overview of the current landscape of global semiconductor cooperation, focusing on supply chain resilience and research & development topics. Finally, future opportunities are assessed and a possible roadmap for international partnerships is outlined, considering geopolitical factors and emerging technologies. The aim is to foster a discussion on strengthening global cooperation in order to ensure a stable, innovative and resilient semiconductor ecosystem in Europe.
