Saxony and Arizona Advance Semiconductor Partnership at SEMICON West

Dresden Announces Expanded Transatlantic Cooperation

Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. (WFS) announced on Oct. 19, 2026, from Dresden, Germany, that Saxony and the U.S. state of Arizona intend to further expand their ties in the semiconductor industry. Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) used SEMICON West, the leading US trade fair for the semiconductor industry, held in San Francisco from 13 to 15 October 2026, to foster closer links between companies and institutions from both semiconductor regions and to explore further opportunities for cooperation. The announcement, issued from the German state's capital, underscores the role of the Silicon Saxony region as a central pillar of European chip production.

Executives Gather Ahead of the Trade Fair

The activities began on the eve of the trade fair with a Transatlantic Executive Dinner, an informal setting that brings together semiconductor industry executives alongside representatives from business, research and institutions in both regions. The focus was on discussing developments at the two locations, as well as specific areas of collaboration between companies and partners from Saxony and Arizona.

Complementary Strengths on Both Sides of the Atlantic

Thomas Horn, CEO of Saxony Trade & Invest, described the two regions as mutually reinforcing. "Arizona and Saxony are among the world's leading microelectronics hubs, where very large new semiconductor production capacities are currently being established. This means that it is not just chip manufacturing that is growing on both sides. Suppliers, research, skilled workers and infrastructure must also keep pace.

This is precisely where we see a concrete benefit of closer cooperation. Companies in Saxony gain better access to one of the most important semiconductor markets in the US, whilst at the same time we can offer companies from Arizona direct access to Europe's largest microelectronics hub. We are delighted that we have been able to further expand our cooperation with our partners in Arizona, thereby building on the discussions held during the Silicon Saxony Days in June." From the American side, Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, also welcomed the deepening relationship.

"Both Arizona and Saxony have emerged as global leaders in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation, and investment. As our ecosystems continue to grow, there is tremendous value in building stronger connections between companies, research institutions, and talent pipelines on both sides of the Atlantic. We are grateful to our partners from Saxony and look forward to advancing the future of semiconductor leadership together."

Arizona Draws More Than $314 Billion Since 2020

Arizona is a region in the US with a particularly high concentration of semiconductor manufacturing and a significant expansion of production capacity. Since 2020, the state has attracted more than 70 expansion and new-site projects in the semiconductor industry, representing an investment volume of over 314 billion US dollars.

These investments span the entire value chain, from semiconductor manufacturing through to equipment and materials, right up to advanced packaging and research. Arizona's standing in the industry is set to grow further: from 2027, Phoenix will become the permanent host city for the SEMICON West trade fair, cementing the state's position at the center of the US semiconductor conversation.

Billions Flowing Into Europe's Largest Microelectronics Hub

The Silicon Saxony region is likewise in a period of major investment. Around one third of all chips produced in Europe are already manufactured in Saxony, making it the continent's largest microelectronics hub, as Horn noted in his remarks. Recent developments in the region include a series of substantial investments by major industry players. In July 2026, Infineon opened its new Smart Power Fab in Dresden, representing an investment of EUR 5 billion. GlobalFoundries is investing a further EUR 1.1 billion in the expansion of its Dresden site. At the same time, ESMC is building TSMC's first semiconductor manufacturing facility in Europe. The joint venture between TSMC, Bosch, Infineon and NXP is investing around EUR 10 billion in Dresden.

A Dialogue Carried Forward From Silicon Saxony Days

The renewed push for cooperation builds on discussions held during the Silicon Saxony Days in June, according to Horn. The SEMICON West activities in San Francisco represent a continuation of the transatlantic dialogue between the two regions, with both Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. and the Arizona Commerce Authority signaling their intent to advance the partnership further.

Both regions are undergoing significant capacity expansion, Arizona with more than 70 projects and over 314 billion US dollars in investment since 2020, and Saxony with multibillion-euro commitments from Infineon, GlobalFoundries and the ESMC joint venture. The collaboration aims to ensure that suppliers, research, skilled workers and infrastructure on both sides keep pace with the growth in chip manufacturing. The announcement was sourced from Saxony Trade & Invest Corp.