The European Commission has cleared €288m in German State aid for two new semiconductor supply chain projects aimed at strengthening Europe’s chip manufacturing resilience. The funding will support new production facilities by Carl Zeiss and Zadient Materials Europe GmbH in Germany. The largest share, €222m, will go to Zeiss to expand semiconductor equipment manufacturing in Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg. A further €66m will support Zadient’s planned ultra-pure silicon carbide (SiC) facility in Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt. Both investments form part of Europe’s wider effort to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers in the semiconductor supply chain. The Commission said the projects align with the goals of the European Commission under the European Chips Act and the EU’s 2024-2029 political strategy. Officials expect the projects to improve supply security, increase specialist manufacturing capacity and strengthen Europe’s long-term competitiveness in advanced chip production. Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, explained: “Chipmaking requires highly sophisticated production equipment and materials with special characteristics such as high purity. “The German measures approved strengthen the EU’s position in the semiconductor value chain …