Last silicon factory in Belgium bankrupt

We 've been trying to run fabs here for 40 years. Some operated by universities, some by Philips and whoever was a descendent of them. Today the last one went bankrupt and closed.

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/09/05/chipfabrikant-belgan-definitief-dicht/

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misaz 2 months ago +1

It is surprising consodering increasing global demand on chips. In czechia onsemi plans to upgrate the only fab in czechia.
dang74 2 months ago +1

Sorry to hear that.
shabaz 2 months ago +1

It hurts hearing this : ( I don't know the background of course. But seems to me there's always a solution, whether that involves government intervention or not (granted there may be rules preventing that…

misaz 2 months ago

It is surprising consodering increasing global demand on chips. In czechia onsemi plans to upgrate the only fab in czechia.
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Jan Cumps 2 months ago in reply to misaz

Maybe wages are lower? Over here they can't keep the lips above water. And they tried.
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dang74 2 months ago

Sorry to hear that.
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shabaz 2 months ago

It hurts hearing this : ( I don't know the background of course. But seems to me there's always a solution, whether that involves government intervention or not (granted there may be rules preventing that, it's always more complicated than it seems), but making non-engineers understand how such factories will be near-impossible to re-establish without eye-watering levels of investment and years of acquiring the staff and skills, is hard. It's not something a future government can just throw money at. It needs more. And seems to me, that closing and losing staff and that knowledge is irreversibly damaging not just to Belgium, but to Europe in general (including the UK in here).
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kmikemoo 2 months ago

That is so sad. It doesn't make sense to let this happen - especially in light of the tensions surrounding Taiwan. Definitely not a good strategic decision to let this company fold.
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dougw 2 months ago

Short term economics almost always wins. Especially when the long term prospects require a truly massive ongoing investment and even with massive investment, viability is very risky. Fab plants have closed in Canada too - it is depressing to watch.
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battlecoder 2 months ago

Well this is sad. I wish more countries had chip factories, not less. That would increase availability and make the whole industry more resilient against localized economy woes.
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anniel747 2 months ago in reply to dougw

Here in Quebec there is expansion.
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