Photo: government.gov.cr
Semiconductor manufacturer Onsemi is investing about $2 billion (CZK 44 billion) to expand chip production at its Rožnov pod Radhoštěm plant. This is the largest investment in the modern history of the Czech Republic. onsemi already produces 10 million chips a day in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and this investment will significantly increase capacity. The location of this major investment in the Czech Republic is the result of intensive efforts by the government over the last two years and confirms that the Czech Republic is an attractive country for foreign investors.
Onsemi's decision to invest in the Czech Republic will bring a major boost to the development of the Czech economy. The investment will strengthen our position in the semiconductor industry, which is the cornerstone of the modern economy, and strengthen supply chains linked to the chip industry. The expansion of chip production will also help the Czech Republic reduce its dependence on imports of this key technology.
"Onsemi's investment in the chip factory is a great success for the Czech Republic. It is an investment that will strengthen high value-added production, bring well-paid jobs and help the development of the region. The government is ready to support the project in the form of an investment incentive," said Prime Minister Fiala.
Onsemi's chips are particularly suitable for use in modern electric cars, so this investment will also serve to modernize the Czech car industry, which has long been the most important part of our economy. onsemi already has a strategic partnership with VW and supplies parts to many car manufacturers across Europe.
"Chips are the foundation of modern industry. That is why we have been trying to strengthen Czech self-sufficiency in this area for a long time. Onsemi's investment gives us the chance to become a European chip power and will also bring a significant boost to the development of the Czech economy, led by the automotive industry, which is its main engine," said Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela.
Onsemi has already invested CZK 14 billion in the Czech Republic. The expansion of production in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm will bring further significant investments to the region of East Moravia and Silesia. This will support the development of local supply chains of downstream companies as well as modern education industries. The investment will also lead to an expansion of employment, providing opportunities for domestic professionals and attracting talent from around the world. This will support the development of the technology sector and increase the skill level of the workforce.
"This is the type of investment that the Czech Republic wants to support because it is the most advanced technology on the market. It will not only bring more jobs to the region with higher attractiveness and prestige, but also probably an increase in wages and more investment in infrastructure or housing construction," said Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura.
The chips manufactured by onsemi are particularly important due to their energy efficiency. The investment is to focus on production based on a new substrate material (silicon carbide). This material, and the manufacturing technology based on it, are essential for increasing the efficiency of electronic components (reducing their energy consumption), which is key, for example, to increasing the range of electric vehicles and thus sustainable mobility.
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