From March 11–13, Sopot once again became the meeting place for leaders of one of the world’s most important industries. The Industry Strategy Symposium Europe (ISS Europe) – one of the most prestigious events in the semiconductor sector – was held in Pomerania for the second consecutive year.
This sends a clear signal that the region is increasing its importance within Europe’s microelectronics ecosystem. Poland’s return to the ISS calendar highlights the strategic role of Central and Eastern Europe in the global supply chain and the need to diversify production amid geopolitical challenges.
Key Insights from ISS Europe 2026
Semiconductors have become the foundation of the modern economy – powering artificial intelligence, electromobility, energy, data centers, and defense technologies. The market is enormous: in 2025, global semiconductor sales reached nearly USD 800 billion, representing a 25% year-on-year increase. Forecasts indicate that by 2030 the market will be worth around USD 1 trillion, making the industry one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy.
Three forces are driving industry growth today: artificial intelligence, energy, and geopolitics. AI is generating increasing demand for advanced chips, while data center expansion could account for up to 10% of global electricity consumption in the coming decades. In this context, Europe, although producing only 7% of chips, dominates in equipment and components: European companies generate over 30% of global semiconductor equipment sales and more than 40% of the components market. The ambitious targets of the European Chips Act aim to raise Europe’s market share from 12% to 20% by 2030, requiring investment in infrastructure, skills development, and international cooperation across the region.
Pomerania Emerging as a Semiconductor Hub
Pomerania is becoming one of Central Europe’s fastest-growing technology hubs. The region covers a significant portion of Poland’s semiconductor value chain, including chip design, R&D centers, and growing start-ups. Companies active in the region include MEP OSM Solutions, Intel, Synopsys, SK hynix, Polski Krzem, and Openchip.
Additionally, the region is developing strategic energy sources: offshore wind farms with capacities of 6–11 GW by 2040, and a planned nuclear power plant of 3–3.7 GW, providing stable power for energy-intensive manufacturing processes. This is crucial for semiconductor production and data centers.
Talent is a critical factor. Pomerania is home to over 25 universities and approximately 90,000 students, including more than 5,200 specialists trained at Gdańsk University of Technology. The global semiconductor talent shortage is estimated at 2.6 million by 2030, while Europe faces around 271,000 job openings. Expected recruitment covers roughly 130,000 technical specialists and 64,000 support roles, leaving a gap of approximately 77,000 positions.
SEMI’s university visits address this challenge. The first visit took place a year ago through cooperation with Invest in Pomerania at Gdańsk University of Technology. Since then, SEMI has reached over 400 students across Europe, showing them the potential of the sector and career opportunities in Poland.
Cooperation and Ecosystems as the Key to Success
The development of Europe’s semiconductor sector no longer depends solely on individual countries or companies. Its success requires coordination across the entire ecosystem: investment, talent, infrastructure, and partnerships. Poland and Pomerania, with their rapidly growing academic and industrial base, can become a strategic link in this European network.
Watch the video below, in which Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe, summarizes the key points.
