KDPOF, a leader in high-speed optical communications for the automotive industry, has proudly announced that the European Commission has granted access to the 8.1 billion European investment IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) for their projected packaging plant for optoelectronic devices in Spain. This funding signals a significant step forward for KDPOF's efforts to pioneer the manufacturing of automotive optoelectronics in Spain, reducing Europe's dependency on Asia and the United States for semiconductor production.
Carlos Pardo, CEO and Co-founder of KDPOF, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "The funding supports us in making our plans of manufacturing ICs in Europe come true in the near future." The establishment of a state-of-the-art packaging factory near KDPOF's headquarters in Tres Cantos, Madrid, will enable the development and production of advanced optoelectronic devices and innovative packaging technology essential for the upcoming transceiver IC for high-speed automotive optical communications.
This move comes at a crucial time when the integration of AI, sensors, and processors in self-driving vehicles requires robust and cost-effective interconnectivity, achievable through fiber optic links within the vehicle. With international clients like Daimler, KDPOF is well-positioned to lead the high-speed optical communications market for the automotive industry.
The European Commission’s approval of the IPCEI ME/CT project, prepared by fourteen member states, including Spain, is set to advance research, innovation, and industrial deployment in microelectronics and communication technologies. This project, expected to unlock significant private investments, encompasses 56 companies, including KDPOF, Innova IRV Microelectronics, Openchip, and Semidynamics Technology Services from Spain. It is anticipated that the project will create 8,700 direct jobs and catalyze the commercialization of products beginning in 2025, with a development deadline set for 2032.
KDPOF's vision for the manufacturing of ICs in Europe and their pioneering efforts in automotive optoelectronics are poised to reshape the semiconductor industry landscape, reinforcing Europe's role in high-volume semiconductor production and reducing dependence on other global regions. As KDPOF advances its plans with the support of the European Commission funding, Spain is poised to emerge as a key hub for cutting-edge optoelectronic device manufacturing and innovation.
