Zeiss Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology is building a new multifunction factory in Dillfeld, Wetzlar, Germany, in addition to the existing SMT site. Strong market demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and high customer demand require more production capacity.
The construction start is currently planned for spring 2023. With a production area of more than 12,000 m², the extension building will provide space for around 150 employees, who will manufacture state-of-the-art DUV lithography systems, among other things.
“The acquisition of land for our new expansion building in Dillfeld is a very clear statement for our site in Wetzlar. The extension building in Wetzlar’s Dillfeld serves as a multifunction factory, offering highly flexible layouts for work areas such as optics, coating and assembly. Manufacturing high-tech products such as lithography optics requires special conditions, which we take into account during construction. For example, we need a vibration-resistant design for the very sensitive measurement technology,” says Katrin Ariki, site manager of the Zeiss semiconductor technology segment SMT in Wetzlar.
The factory is complemented by a technical operations building in which cooling, heat and compressed air can be generated, which is structurally separated from the factory for reasons of supply security. And in the office building, offices, workshops, changing rooms and social rooms are planned. In addition, a cafeteria area is to be created on the top floor with a view of the Dill River.
In order to realize the megatrends of tomorrow, such as autonomous driving, 5G or artificial intelligence, powerful microchips are necessary. Already today, more than 80 percent of all microchips worldwide are manufactured with lithography optics from Zeiss’ SMT semiconductor technology segment. The optical systems enable chip manufacturers worldwide to expose microchips with nanometer precision – including in the DUV light range with wavelengths of 365, 248 and 193 nanometers.
In Wetzlar, employees of the technology company in the optical and optoelectronic industry have been manufacturing DUV lithography optics for more than 20 years. This makes Zeiss a key driver of global digitization. In addition, high-quality binoculars, spotting scopes and hunting optics are manufactured at Zeiss in Wetzlar.
The investments made by Zeiss are not only intended to strengthen the site, but also to make the region and Wetzlar as the “City of Optics” even more attractive from an employee perspective. The public will also benefit from the new expansion building.
“After all, the demand for semiconductors and the rapid growth of this market are also noticeable at Zeiss in Wetzlar in terms of increased personnel requirements. While around 170 employees were employed at the SMT site until 2017, the number is now more than 350 and the trend is rising. Zeiss continues to look for new employees here,” Ariki says.
Image – Visualization draft of the new multifunctional factory with the optics, coating and assembly areas. The new Zeiss SMT factory building in Wetzlar Dillfeld will provide space for around 150 employees on a production area of more than 12,000 m². The start of construction is planned for spring 2023.
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