Increasing exhibit space reservations attest to the importance of SEMICON Europa 2002, the largest exposition of semiconductor equipment, materials and services in Europe. The trade fair and technical conference is sponsored by Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) and will be held April 16-18, in New Munich Trade Fair Centre, Munich, Germany.
The exposition, now in its 26th year, has become the annual "rendez-vous" for the international semiconductor industry to meet in the region. It will feature the products and services of more than 800 companies encompassed in 44,000 square meters in four exhibit halls.
"While last year's severe economic decline and industry downturn beleaguered business, technology advances continue in the highly cyclic global semiconductor industry," said Walter Roessger, president of SEMI Europe. "More than 2,000 stands are already reserved for SEMICON Europa as exhibitors see increasingly favorable indications and are positioning to participate as the market normalizes."
In parallel to the product exhibition, SEMICON Europa 2002 offers a range of technical conferences, business programs, international standards meetings and industry networking opportunities, which occur April 15-20.
International MEMS/MST Industry Forum, April 15, focuses on the production and commercialization challenges of firms that produce and market microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), microsystems (MST) and micromachining (MM). The Forum features presentations about the market overview, foundry activities, equipment requirements and an interactive panel session with leading international participants.
The Fourth European Manufacturing Test Conference on Monday, April 15, focuses on the theme of advancing science and technology for IC manufacturing test efficiency and addresses cost challenges in semiconductor manufacturing testing technologies.
Other technical program topics include new semiconductor technologies, masks, lithography, interconnects, ultra-high purity, cleaning, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and advances in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technology.
The Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Market Briefing Forum, April 16, provides the latest analysis on the rapidly changing semiconductor and equipment and materials industries, including the most current monthly and quarterly indicators for sales and orders. The forum includes an overview of the semiconductor, semiconductor capital equipment and materials markets
and trends.
Opening day of the exposition concludes with the annual gala festivities at the SEMICON Europa International Reception and the presentation of the SEMI European Award for outstanding contribution to the advancement of the semiconductor industry in Europe.
Following the exhibition, Semiconductor Fab Managers, Executives and Professionals of Semiconductor Equipment and Material Companies from around
Europe and the world will participate in the Fab Managers Forum. This event is organized in cooperation with ALTIS Semiconductor, France, the joint venture between Infineon Technologies and IBM Microelectronics division. The Fab Managers Forum will take place on the site of ALTIS located in Corbeil Essonnes on April 19.
"This Forum has become a recognized platform for discussing topics which are of operational and strategic interest to our industry, for addressing the ever growing challenges and the opportunities in this business and for the improvements in the management of semiconductor manufacturing," said Roessger.
An extensive slate of SEMI International Standards task force and committee meetings are scheduled in conjunction with SEMICON Europa. All standards meetings operate as neutral forums for the exchange of information and expertise, with the goal of arriving at technically accurate, consensus-based and timely standards for semiconductor manufacturing. Standards meetings will be attended by representatives of materials, equipment, and service suppliers as well as their customers and other organizations that serve the industry
Based in Brussels, Belgium, SEMI Europe is the European headquarters of Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), an international trade association serving 2,500 companies participating in the semiconductor and flat panel display equipment and materials markets. SEMI maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Boston, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.
Visit SEMI at www.semi.org.