Innovative technologies for tomorrow: ZEISS at W3+ Fair in Wetzlar
- ZEISS SMT will be at the W3+ Fair in the Buderus Arena, Wetzlar on March 19 and 20, 2025 featuring its own booth
- Insightful presentation on March 19 at 11 a.m. discussing the significant role of Central Hesse as a key region for the semiconductor industry
- ZEISS leverages the expertise of Central Hesse, a leading hub for the optics industry, recognizing the region as essential for future growth
The W3+ Fair, dedicated to optics, photonics, electronics, and mechanics, will open its doors once again on March 19 and 20, 2025. This year, the ZEISS segment Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) will participate as a technology leader and key employer in the Central Hesse region. Attendees can find ZEISS at booth A11 in the Buderus Arena. Dr. Wolfram Hild, Project Manager R&D at ZEISS SMT, will give a presentation on March 19 at 11 a.m., highlighting the significance of Central Hesse as a key region for the semiconductor industry.
Wetzlar: a cornerstone for future growth
Approximately 80 percent of all microchips produced worldwide are manufactured using ZEISS SMT optics, providing a foundation for the continuation of Moore's Law. To achieve this, ZEISS capitalizes on Wetzlar's status as a premier center for the optics industry. “With their optical expertise and renowned research institutions Wetzlar and the Central Hesse region are vital to us as a technology company. We are committed to advancing technological progress in the region and investing in our company’s growth,” explains Katrin Ariki, Site Manager of ZEISS SMT in Wetzlar, emphasizing the region's importance.
Last July, ZEISS celebrated a significant milestone with the topping-out ceremony of its new multifunctional factory in Wetzlar's Dillfeld (see press release). This expansion adds over 12,000 square meters of production space to the existing facility, providing optimal conditions for the production of DUV optics (DUV stands for "deep ultraviolet light"). This investment empowers ZEISS SMT to enable chip manufacturers worldwide to produce microchips with nanometer precision. It not only strengthens the region and the Wetzlar site as the "City of Optics" but also increases the demand for skilled professionals. For more than two decades, DUV lithography optics have been manufactured at the Wetzlar site, which currently employs around 500 professionals. To facilitate the next technological leap, ZEISS SMT is actively seeking specialists, particularly in development and production: “We are looking for talented individuals who want to contribute to a progressive future, as driving technological advancement requires innovative minds. We look forward to engaging and networking at the W3+ Fair,” says Ariki.