Hamburg, 20 April 2026 – The establishment of the Northern Chip Network (NCN) on 20 April 2026 marks the emergence of a powerful new microelectronics ecosystem in northern Germany. The network unites companies, universities, and research institutions from Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg to strengthen knowledge transfer, foster collaboration, and sustainably boost the region’s competitiveness.
Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) is among the founding members, represented by its Institute of Power Electronic Devices (PED). “The close integration of research and application is essential for driving innovation in microelectronics—especially in fields such as power electronics, renewable energy, and autonomous systems,” says Prof Dr Holger Kapels, Head of PED. “The Northern Chip Network offers the ideal platform to expand existing expertise and accelerate the transition from fundamental research to industrial production.”
NCN aims to speed up innovation, support the development and retention of skilled professionals, and enhance the region’s technological resilience. By connecting stakeholders across the entire value chain—from materials research to chip manufacturing—the network seeks to generate new momentum for the development of highly reliable, energy-efficient microelectronics.
Other founding members include Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology (ISIT), and numerous industry partners and universities. Based in Hamburg, the association will act as a unified voice for the region.
