12. February 2025 | News
The Innovation Forum for Automation simply offered more: More excitement, more interaction, more appreciation and more growth
The new attendance record seems almost insignificant compared to the numerous highlights of this year’s Innovation Forum. 358 participants and around 50 remote attendees experienced a forum that offered more of everything:
More deep dives: With four breakout sessions on specific topics, that move the industry, we were able to serve almost every interest. The extended expert discussion with a high-caliber panel allowed for an in-depth and differentiated examination of the pressing issues facing our industry.
More exchange: The exhibition area, with interesting new exhibitors, offered visitors even more opportunities for exchange and getting to know each other.
More community: With the award ceremony closing the second conference day we put an emphasis on our community and the celebration of one driver of innovation from last year.
More fun: Our new duo moderating the Innovation Forum – Kathrin Kammer, Fabmatics and Ricco Walter, SYSTEMA – added that sparkle to the event and led us with joy and humor through the program.
A captivating program full of insights:
The 10 presentations on the main stage focused the challenges and specific applications of AI in the semiconductor industry. In addition to the wide range of possible applications for AI, the audience also gained concrete insights into best practices for managing legacy systems or the successful strategy for setting up a new 300mm fab in a fully automated process.
A little spice was added to the sauce by the presentations on the current changes in cybersecurity regulations and the implementation of one MES for multiple Frauenhofer institutes.
A special highlight was the view into the machine room of the ESMC project in Dresden. The details of the construction of the new fab, which were only shared with the participants on site, were eagerly awaited and received a lot of attention.
Celebrating Innovation: The Innovation Award 2025 goes to Siltronic
For the first time and as the closing highlight, the Innovation Award was presented on the second day of the conference. The award ceremony was a worthy and festive conclusion to the 22nd Innovation Forum for Automation, not only but also significantly because Siltronic AG achieved a pioneering feat with its new construction of a fully automated 300 mm fab in Singapore.
The figures speak for themselves: one and a half years of construction time, 80% of the fab is already fully automated. Daniel Ingelsberger and his team can look back with pride on this energy achievement of the last two years and continue the path towards the “Lights out Fab”.
As Manfred Austen, CEO of SYSTEMA, the project partner, emphasized in his laudatory speech:
“Decades of trustful cooperation, the open exchange of experience and the struggle for the best solutions in the interests of the customer make such outstanding achievements in the complex environments of semiconductor industry possible”.
Congratulations to Siltronic AG on winning the Innovation Award 2025!
Together with the lively evening event at the HYPERION Hotel Schloss Dresden, the most inspiring setting for the 2-day conference and community event was created.
To sum it up: We have gained many new insights, we have appreciated many conversations and meetings, we have laughed and maybe even discussed – in short, we have enjoyed the 22. Innovation Forum for Automation to the fullest.
Let`s continue on this path!
If you would like to reminisce or fuel your anticipation for the next Innovation Forum for Automation 2025, you can find the agenda and many more pictures here . There is also an exclusive live recording of our panel discussion “Challenges & Opportunities for the Semiconductor Industry” which was broadcasted by the “What’s Chippening” podcast by Silicon Saxony.
Save the date!
And speaking of next year – the date of the 23. Innovation Forum for Automation is set! Please mark January 29 – 30, 2026 in your calendar!
Call for Speakers
Our call for speakers for the Innovation Forum for Automation 2025 is already online, too. We are looking forward to exciting presentation proposals.
See you at the 23. Innovation Forum for Automation in 2026!
Thanks again to the sponsors of this years edition:
