Thu, Sep. 24, 2026
Taiwan
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SIBB Delegation Travels to Taiwan with OpTecBB: Focus on Digital Sovereignty and Global Chip Dependency
In early September 2026, the SIBB, together with OpTecBB and 15 representatives from companies and research institutions in the Berlin-Brandenburg photonics ecosystem, took part in a delegation trip to SEMICON Taiwan 2026—with stops at SEMICON Taiwan, ITRI, Hsinchu Science Park, TSMC, and the Taiwan Tech Arena.
Taiwan's Monopoly Status and the Question of Sovereignty
Taiwan is the global hub for the manufacturing of advanced AI chips—nearly all major tech companies have their products manufactured there. This concentration creates massive dependencies: Any disruption to Taiwan’s supply capacity would deal a severe blow to the global AI industry. Feedback from the on-site discussions indicates that Germany is well-positioned in key technologies to help shape European tech sovereignty.
Recent figures illustrate just how strong this dependence actually is: In the second quarter of 2026, the Taiwanese contract manufacturer TSMC held a 73 percent share of the global semiconductor foundry market, while its closest competitor, Samsung, accounted for only 7 percent during the same period. In the case of particularly high-performance processors, the concentration is even more pronounced: High-end chips for artificial intelligence now account for about half of the industry’s revenue, even though they represent only a fraction of the physical volume. A single company at a single location thus plays a decisive role in shaping the future of global AI development.
Advanced Packaging and Photonics as the Next Technological Leaps
The next chip revolution is taking shape in advanced packaging and photonics —fields in which Germany is well-positioned. Examples from the region include the Berlin-based startup Akhetonics (optical chips), the Munich-based startup Linque (photonics for AI data centers), and the Brandenburg-based SIBB member IHP Solutions GmbH, a partner in the European pilot line APECS under the EU Chips Act.
The EU Chip Act 2 as an Opportunity for Europe
The EU Chip Act 2, which is currently going through the European legislative process, must pave the way for Europe to establish its own expertise. Taiwan demonstrates how the government, universities, research institutions, startups, and industry can successfully collaborate—a model that the Adlershof Technology Park (SIBB member WISTA Management GmbH) in Berlin-Brandenburg is also pursuing. In line with this, SIBB member CIC Berlin recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the startup Terrace Taiwan.
Conclusion: Europe must build its own technological strength in key areas of the AI stack—through its own expertise, smart specialization, and strong international partnerships.
single: text module
SIBB Delegation Travels to Taiwan with OpTecBB: Focus on Digital Sovereignty and Global Chip Dependency
In early September 2026, the SIBB, together with OpTecBB and 15 representatives from companies and research institutions in the Berlin-Brandenburg photonics ecosystem, took part in a delegation trip to SEMICON Taiwan 2026—with stops at SEMICON Taiwan, ITRI, Hsinchu Science Park, TSMC, and the Taiwan Tech Arena.
Taiwan's Monopoly Status and the Question of Sovereignty
Taiwan is the global hub for the manufacturing of advanced AI chips—nearly all major tech companies have their products manufactured there. This concentration creates massive dependencies: Any disruption to Taiwan’s supply capacity would deal a severe blow to the global AI industry. Feedback from the on-site discussions indicates that Germany is well-positioned in key technologies to help shape European tech sovereignty.
Recent figures illustrate just how strong this dependence actually is: In the second quarter of 2026, the Taiwanese contract manufacturer TSMC held a 73 percent share of the global semiconductor foundry market, while its closest competitor, Samsung, accounted for only 7 percent during the same period. In the case of particularly high-performance processors, the concentration is even more pronounced: High-end chips for artificial intelligence now account for about half of the industry’s revenue, even though they represent only a fraction of the physical volume. A single company at a single location thus plays a decisive role in shaping the future of global AI development.
Advanced Packaging and Photonics as the Next Technological Leaps
The next chip revolution is taking shape in advanced packaging and photonics —fields in which Germany is well-positioned. Examples from the region include the Berlin-based startup Akhetonics (optical chips), the Munich-based startup Linque (photonics for AI data centers), and the Brandenburg-based SIBB member IHP Solutions GmbH, a partner in the European pilot line APECS under the EU Chips Act.
The EU Chip Act 2 as an Opportunity for Europe
The EU Chip Act 2, which is currently going through the European legislative process, must pave the way for Europe to establish its own expertise. Taiwan demonstrates how the government, universities, research institutions, startups, and industry can successfully collaborate—a model that the Adlershof Technology Park (SIBB member WISTA Management GmbH) in Berlin-Brandenburg is also pursuing. In line with this, SIBB member CIC Berlin recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the startup Terrace Taiwan.
Conclusion: Europe must build its own technological strength in key areas of the AI stack—through its own expertise, smart specialization, and strong international partnerships.