2022 Fiscal Year: Very strong growth for Infineon Austria

• Revenue up 34 percent to 5.2 billion euros
• Majority of total investment of around 590 million euros goes into "Tech for Green"; 160 million euros of this alone in new, even more energy-efficient semiconductor materials
• New chip factory: ramp-up in full swing
• Record workforce growth: around 650 new employees
• Purchasing volume exceeds one billion euros for the first time
• EU Chips Act as a great opportunity for Austria

The Infineon Technologies Austria Group (Infineon Austria) achieved very good results in the past 2022 fiscal year (closing date: 30 September 2022). The Austrian subsidiary of the German semiconductor group generated revenues of Euro 5.240 billion. The previous year's figure (revenue 2021: 3.898 billion euros) was thus expanded by 34 percent. Earnings before tax amounted to around 663 million euros, a significant year-on-year increase of around 302 million euros or 84 percent (2021 earnings before tax: 361 million euros). In the past financial year, digitalization and decarbonization provided for a structurally increasing demand for semiconductors in the automotive and industrial target markets, in applications for the Internet of Things, and in renewable energies. Thanks to its strategic focus, Infineon will benefit disproportionately from the increasing momentum and these permanently strong growth factors in these areas. Infineon Austria is ideally positioned for this growth with its two global competence fields for power electronics ("energy-saving chips") and new semiconductor materials in Villach. Nevertheless, macroeconomic and geopolitical developments are currently difficult to assess and require a high degree of flexibility.

Sabine Herlitschka, CEO of Infineon Technologies Austria AG: "Our result clearly shows how much demand there is for our high-quality products. Even more, with 'Tech for Green' we offer concrete solutions for the major and much discussed challenges of our time. With these technologies, we have essential accelerators of digitalization and decarbonization at hand, which demonstrably and globally make a significant contribution to the energy transition. In the European context, research, development and production of power electronics is one of the continent's microelectronics strength areas, with which we are at the forefront of global competition. With the EU Chips Act, an important instrument is now up for discussion that should also be used by smaller member countries like Austria to remain competitive in this key technology and to expand it." 

Investments show overall market relevance of “Tech for Green”

In fiscal year 2022, investments were increased by 27 percent and amounted to 588 million euros (previous year: 464 million euros). The majority went into the development and production of technologies that make applications more environmentally friendly and sustainable by increasing energy efficiency: On the one hand, investments were made in property, plant and equipment for the new, fully automated chip factory for 300-millimeter power semiconductors in Villach.

Energy-saving chips of the future: 160 million euros in new semiconductor materials SiC and GaN

On the other hand, Infineon Austrian alone has invested 160 million euros in production capacities for volume manufacturing as well as technology development for the new semiconductor materials silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), which show high growth potential. This represents more than a quarter of the total investment. These new semiconductor materials are increasingly being used in energy-efficient applications such as solar systems, electric cars, data centers and charging stations. They switch electricity more efficiently, enabling even smaller designs. With the global competence center for the new semiconductor materials silicon carbide and gallium nitride in Villach, research, development and also production are located in Villach. 

Thomas Reisinger, Chief Operations Officer of Infineon Technologies Austria AG: "In Villach, we are the only site in the Group that develops and manufactures chips based on new semiconductor materials. With the construction of a new production module in Kulim, Malaysia, the Group will then have two production sites from 2024. With the investments made in these new semiconductor materials, we are responding to the urgency for increasingly energy-efficient applications across our entire product range. Overall, with these two focus areas, the chip factory for power electronics and the new semiconductor materials, we are on the pulse of innovative technologies from Austria that will make the difference in the future."

Production was running at full capacity in the past fiscal year. A total of 9.4 billion chips were produced in Villach in fiscal year 2022. The new, fully automated chip factory for production on 300-millimeter thin wafers in Villach is ramped up according to schedule since the start of production in August 2021. Full expansion is being driven forward and is planned by 2025. 

Purchasing volume exceeds one billion euros for the first time

Infineon Austria's purchasing volume in the past fiscal year amounted to Euro 1,171 million (previous year: Euro 804 million). Of this, purchases in Austria accounted for around 27 percent or 324 million euros (previous year: 310 million euros). The share of Carinthian business partners increased again to 207 million euros (previous year: 176 million euros).

Oliver Heinrich, CFO of Infineon Technologies Austria AG: "All relevant key economic data reflect the successful financial year and show the successful development of our company over the past twelve months. In addition to profitable growth, we have succeeded in attracting highly qualified specialists to Infineon and to Austria as a business location. They are the key to our current and future success. However, in view of the macroeconomic and geopolitical situation, highly strained supply chains and the unpredictable developments in the energy market, we remain alert." 

Around 650 new employees

As of 30 September 2022, Infineon Austria employed a total of 5,461 people (previous year: 4,820). With around 650 new employees, representing an increase of around 13 percent, the workforce has continued to expand strongly despite the shortage of skilled workers that has existed for years. Experts in the field of new semiconductor materials are in particularly high demand, but also in maintenance. With currently around 160 vacancies, specialists are sought in the fields of electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, process engineering, IT and software or maintenance. Around 58 percent of all employees have an academic education. Infineon Austria's employees currently come from 79 nations. Infineon Austria trains 91 apprentices in Villach, almost one third of whom are female. With a total of around 2,390 employees in research & development, the previous year's figure (2,100 people) was expanded. Infineon Austria thus employs around one fifth of the R&D workforce of the entire Group.

One of the most research-focused companies in Austria

Infineon Austria expanded its expenditure on research, development and innovation in the 2022 financial year to Euro 585 million compared to the previous year (Euro 516 million). This is Euro 69 million or 13 percent more than in the previous fiscal year and corresponds to a research ratio of 11 percent of total revenues (previous year: 13 percent).

In the research field of quantum computers, Infineon continues to drive forward work on ion based quantum processors with integrated optics. This year's Nobel Prize for Prof. Anton Zeilinger demonstrates the global relevance of quantum physics. In order to take a pioneering role here in Austria and in Europe, Infineon Austria opened a quantum test lab in May 2022. Here, the scientific findings of the research partners JOANNEUM RESEARCH and the University of Innsbruck are tested and implemented with industrial technologies.

Infineon Austria develops "first of a kind" technologies and invests in high-tech production within the framework of the EU funding program " Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics" (IPCEI). In addition, Infineon is implementing a large number of so-called spillover activities from Austria in the EU13 countries within the framework of IPCEI. In November, for example, a multi-year academic cooperation in the field of power electronics was signed with the University of Zagreb. The goal is to advance research on grid stability, electromobility and intelligent control systems and to build up a pool of STEM talent in Croatia.

Sustainability in products, processes and behavior

For years, Infineon Austria has been driving forward measures not only with its products, but also within the company, in order to become ever more energy efficient itself. Current developments on the energy market confirm the path taken. We have been using electricity from renewable energy sources since 2013. 80 percent of the Villach site's heating requirements are covered by intelligent recycling of waste heat from production. Intelligent control of systems, plants and processes has saved a total of 63 GWh of heat and electricity since 2013, which corresponds to the annual energy consumption of around 13,300 households. We are already using various measures to reduce our use of natural gas, which accounts for around three percent of our annual energy requirements. By the end of 2022, around 30 percent additional natural gas will be saved, and up to two-thirds in the medium term. A hydrogen plant will come on stream in the first quarter of 2023, producing green hydrogen from renewable energy sources. In the future, this will also be recycled in the interests of a sustainable circular economy and thus used twice.

Social commitment, environmental protection and help in emergency situations

Infineon Austria actively assumes its social responsibility for the regions in which it operates. In the wake of the severe weather disaster in the Villach region in summer 2022, Infineon Austria quickly and unbureaucratically donated 50,000 euros to affected communities. The Infineon Education Fund was established in 2019 and is now endowed with 105,000 euros in the current 2023 fiscal year. This amount will be used to make three Caritas Learning Cafés possible: The Caritas Learning Cafés in Villach and Spittal an der Drau, as well as a Learning Café in Graz-Lend. Infineon will thus enable around 75 children and young people to receive free learning support. In November 2022, a voluntary reforestation initiative was also launched: In a first step, 1,650 trees were planted near Villach's Oswaldibergtunnel as climate, sight and noise protection in cooperation with Arge NATURSCHUTZ and the Villach Forestry Inspectorate. 

Key Figures Fiscal Year 2022 (as of 30 September 2022) 

Infineon Technologies Austria AG is a group subsidiary of Infineon Technologies AG, a world-leading provider of semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon reduce the energy consumption of consumer electronics, domestic appliances and industrial facilities. They make a major contribution to the convenience, security and sustainability of vehicles, and enable secure transactions in the Internet of Things.

Infineon Austria pools competencies for research and development, production as well as global business responsibility. The head office is in Villach, with further branches in Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Vienna. With 5,461 employees from 79 countries (including 2,390 in research and development), in the financial year 2022 (ending in September) the company achieved a turnover of € 5.2 billion. With a research expenditure of 585 million euros, Infineon Austria is one of the strongest research companies in Austria.