International networking in photonics and microelectronics was at the heart of a successful delegation visit by OpTec-Berlin-Brandenburg (OpTecBB) to Taiwan. Together with 15 representatives from companies and research institutions across the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region, the network visited SEMICON Taiwan—Asia's leading trade fair for semiconductor technologies—as well as key innovation hubs in Hsinchu and Taipei.
As the world's largest manufacturer of semiconductor chips, Taiwan plays a pivotal role in advanced packaging, heterogeneous integration, and photonic data communication. The objective of the delegation was to gain first-hand insights into Taiwan's innovation ecosystem, initiate new technological collaborations, and showcase the strengths of the Berlin-Brandenburg photonics cluster on an international stage.
A major highlight of the program was the visit to SEMICON Taiwan in Taipei. The delegation explored the latest developments across the semiconductor value chain while strengthening exchanges with international companies, research organizations, and investment partners.
A particularly encouraging aspect was the strong presence of numerous OpTecBB members at the exhibition, including OSRAM (USHIO), Siemens, Finetech, Xolo, Coherent, ZEISS, ITRI, PacTech (Nagase), Bruker, and Helmut Fischer.
At the German Pavilion, the Brandenburg Economic Development Agency (WFBB) presented the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region as an attractive investment location for microelectronics and photonics, highlighting the growing importance of international partnerships between Germany and Taiwan.
Beyond the exhibition, the delegation traveled to Hsinchu Science Park, the heart of Taiwan's semiconductor industry. Participants visited the TSMC Museum and the renowned Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).
During a series of expert meetings, the delegation gained valuable insights into current research and development activities in:
- Optoelectronic microsystems
- Smart sensing and intelligent sensor systems
- Heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging
The discussions with ITRI and representatives of local industry opened new opportunities for joint research projects and industrial cooperation between Taiwan and the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region.
The program was complemented by visits to National Taiwan University (NTU) and the Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA). Both institutions are among the key players in Taiwan's innovation and start-up ecosystem and provided valuable perspectives on technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and international innovation support.
For OpTecBB, the delegation confirms Taiwan's growing strategic importance as a partner in photonics and microelectronics. In particular, the convergence of semiconductor technologies, photonic communication, and microsystems engineering offers significant potential for future collaboration.
With this delegation, OpTecBB continues to expand its international activities in Asia and further strengthens the close connection between the Berlin-Brandenburg photonics ecosystem and one of the world's leading innovation regions.