Industry Strategy Symposium (ISS) Europe 2025 is the most important expert event in the semiconductor industry on the Old Continent. Thanks to the efforts of Invest in Pomerania, coordinated by the Pomeranian Development Agency, it is being held in Poland for the first time, confirming the region’s growing importance as a center of technological innovation and a key player in the European microelectronics ecosystem.
ISS Europe brings together representatives from leading technology companies, research institutions, and government organizations. The conference program includes discussion panels on topics such as the global semiconductor supply chain, innovations in microchip production, and the European Union’s economic policies supporting the industry’s development. The event is held under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and its prestige is confirmed by the presence of Mieczysław Struk, the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Debating the Future of the Microelectronics Industry
The conference focused on Europe’s strategy for the coming years, presenting different geopolitical scenarios leading to the achievement of the European Chips Act goal—increasing Europe’s share in global semiconductor production to 20% by 2030. A key topic, both in official discussions and informal networking sessions, was reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and implementing energy-efficient solutions through artificial intelligence. As Charles Vaillant from MANN+HUMMEL argued, only a sustainable energy strategy can ensure synergy between technological progress and environmental well-being.
A particularly interesting highlight of ISS was a press conference attended by Paweł Pudłowski, Vice President of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe, and Benedikt Ernst from Merck. They discussed specific opportunities for Poland and the entire CEE region amid the rapid growth of the semiconductor industry. The most frequently mentioned priority was leveraging the vast potential of Polish talent, particularly through reskilling and upskilling. Poland’s achievements in photonics were also highlighted, including a well-developed ecosystem of domestic companies and groundbreaking research. The establishment of a national semiconductor strategy was recognized as a milestone, demonstrating the government’s long-term commitment to the industry’s growth.
Poland’s Role in the European Supply Chain
The location of this year’s ISS provided a unique opportunity to analyze Poland’s current position in the European semiconductor supply chain. Mikołaj Trunin and Radosław Bojarczuk from Invest in Pomerania emphasized the region’s strong ecosystem of local companies. Most Polish semiconductor enterprises are small but highly specialized centers that have operated within the global network for years. Thanks to their expertise, Poland was ranked first in Europe for back-end semiconductor investment attractiveness by Kearney.
—Poland is ideally positioned to support the already well-developed market in Germany. New investments, such as the TSMC fab in Dresden, will generate huge demand for suppliers of services and equipment. This, in turn, will drive new projects—whether greenfield investments or joint ventures with local firms—in Poland. Ultimately, we also expect projects in assembly & testing and advanced packaging — said Mikołaj Trunin from Invest in Pomerania.
Skilled Workforce: A Key Opportunity for Pomerania
One of the most significant themes for Pomerania was workforce qualifications. The European microelectronics industry faces an urgent need to attract, develop, and retain top talent. The demand for skilled professionals is outpacing industry growth, making strong collaboration between academia and industry essential.
Representatives from OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), the Saxony government, and Invest in Pomerania discussed strategies to increase the industry’s appeal to young talent, close gender gaps, and use innovation—through education, international partnerships, and AI—to secure Europe’s leadership in the global semiconductor landscape.
Poland boasts the second-largest number of STEM graduates in Central and Eastern Europe and ranks seventh across the entire continent. To engage these talents, SEMI Europe organized an open lecture on March 12 at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science at the University of Gdańsk. The session introduced students to career opportunities in semiconductors and encouraged participation in internships and training programs supported by the European Commission.
AI: A Catalyst for Europe’s Competitiveness
The application of artificial intelligence across the semiconductor supply chain drives both efficiency and innovation, making “co-opetition” (a mix of cooperation and competition) a crucial factor in shaping the industry’s future. Strengthening Europe’s position in the global market requires strategic actions spanning design, manufacturing, and system integration.
— Just in the last quarter of last year, we finalized two semiconductor projects—Israeli firm MEP OSM Solutions is in the final phase of constructing a factory for semiconductor module production, while South Korean giant SK Hynix is expanding its R&D center. In the coming weeks, we will officially announce another project focused on semiconductor architecture development— said Radosław Bojarczuk from Invest in Pomerania.
Decisions made at ISS Europe 2025 will position Poland as a key player in the European semiconductor ecosystem. This presents a tremendous opportunity for Pomerania, which, alongside planned investments in offshore wind energy and nuclear energy development, can strengthen its role as a strategic industrial hub in Europe.
