At HANNOVER MESSE 2026, the Research Factory for Microelectronics Germany (FMD) will demonstrate how companies can gain direct access to a Europe-wide networked infrastructure for research, development, and pilot production through APECS, the pilot line for “Advanced Packaging and Heterogeneous Integration for Electronic Components and Systems.” This can open up new opportunities, particularly for industrial users, to bring complex systems to market faster. Through the close integration of research and application, as well as access to cutting-edge microelectronics technologies, APECS supports industrial companies, startups, and SMEs in shortening innovation cycles, optimizing costs, and sustainably strengthening their competitiveness.

The FMD uses illustrative demonstrators to show how the potential of modern microelectronics can be translated into concrete industrial applications: A demonstrator for high-end performance packaging from Fraunhofer IZM illustrates how various chips and functions can be efficiently integrated into high-performance overall systems—a decisive factor for applications in automation, mobility, energy, and artificial intelligence. In addition, a technology example on quasi-monolithic integration (QMI) from Fraunhofer IPMS demonstrates how various modular chiplets can be combined into a virtually monolithic system. This allows different technologies to be combined with high efficiency, minimizes signal loss, and boosts performance. Visitors will thus gain practical insights into current solutions for chip integration, thermal management, and reliable, flexible, and scalable system architectures.

With the German Chips Competence Centre (G3C), also present at the booth, the FMD specifically addresses the needs of all those who wish to develop new products based on microelectronics or scale existing technologies. As a central interface, the G3C connects the German semiconductor industry with European design and manufacturing pilot lines, coordinates their use, and facilitates contacts in other EU countries. The G3C offers concrete support, particularly for SMEs and startups, to efficiently implement innovation projects and bring them to market faster.

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