Semiconductor foundry group X-FAB has commissioned international construction company PORR to design and build a new semiconductor facility at its Erfurt site in Germany.
Under the Fab4Micro project, the facility will focus on the production of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and other integrated microsystems for sectors, including automotive, medical technology, and industrial applications.
The contract awarded to PORR covers both the design and construction of the new manufacturing plant.
This includes a cleanroom production area of approximately 3,500m², an adjoining office section, and integration of the new buildings into X-FAB’s existing site.
The project is scheduled to take place until July 2028.
The funding for the factory is provided by the German federal and Thuringian state governments, pursuant to a resolution of the German Bundestag. It is linked to the European Chips Act, which has aimed to mobilise more than €52bn in public and private investment.
PORR’s responsibilities will include meeting strict standards for the production environment as microscopic components become more complex and larger.
PORR CEO Karl-Heinz Strauss said: “The growth in the market for semiconductor chips is unabated, driven not only by artificial intelligence, but also by future technologies such as autonomous driving. This in turn is generating growth for us, as demand for cleanrooms keeps rising. Cleanrooms place very particular requirements on planning and construction.”
Strauss explained that the vibration sensitivity of production equipment necessitates heavy construction to isolate factory machinery from external disturbances, such as road traffic.
Fail-safe operation is also required, given that cleanrooms are expected to function continuously throughout the year.
Schedule coordination and occupational safety present additional challenges. Strauss noted: “The requirements are becoming ever more demanding.”
PORR has previously completed several large-scale cleanroom projects for the semiconductor and biotech sectors, totalling more than 100,000m², for clients such as ams OSRAM and Infineon Technologies.
The company functions as a full-service provider, managing projects from initial planning to machine installation and commissioning.
Earlier this month, PORR deployed a bricklaying robot, named Walter, at the Kladno Living residential construction project near Prague, Czech Republic, as part of its efforts to introduce new technologies on the site.
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© Roland Kirschner / AEE.
