SEMI ISS Europe 2026 Speakers to Address Geopolitics, Supply Chain Resilience, and Startup Innovations

SOPOT, Poland — February 18, 2026 — As geopolitical tensions and global competition reshape the semiconductor landscape, this year’s SEMI Industry Strategy Symposium Europe (ISS Europe) 2026, to be held on March 11-13 in Sopot, Poland, will convene leaders from across the microelectronics ecosystem to chart a bold path forward. Registration is open.

The symposium, focused on the theme of Navigating Geopolitics: Shaping Europe’s Future, will spotlight how Europe can strengthen its role in the global supply chain through strategic collaboration, resilient manufacturing, and innovation-driven policy. Against a backdrop of shifting power dynamics and technological transformation, ISS Europe 2026 offers a critical forum for aligning industry, academia, and government on a unified vision for Europe’s semiconductor future.

“Europe is in a perfect storm,” said Laith Altimime, President of SEMI Europe. “As global power structures shift and supply chains become more fragmented, our ability to lead depends on unity, strategic investment, and cross-border collaboration. At ISS Europe 2026, industry leaders will share strategies for strengthening supply chain resilience, accelerating pilot lines, and advancing fab management to ensure Europe is not just resilient, but a driving force in shaping the future of the global economy.”

ISS Europe 2026 Distinguished Speakers

• Antonio Mesquida Küsters, CEO of Tech-Diligence and Strategic Advisor, EuClyd
• Carlos Pardo, CEO, KD; President, AESEMI; Co-Chair, Allpros European Alliance Supply Chain Working Group
• Christoph Kutter, Director, Fraunhofer EMFT, Institute of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD)
• Dirk Drescher, Plant Manager, Robert Bosch Semiconductor Manufacturing Dresden GmbH
• Jari Kinaret, Executive Director, Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU)
• Jean-Christophe Eloy, President and CEO, Yole Group
• Jekaterine Viktorova, Founder and CEO, Syenta
• Joe English, Vice President and Factory Manager, Intel Corporation
• Joerg Recklies, Executive Vice President Frontend, Infineon Technologies
• Lech Wałęsa, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• Manfred Horstmann, General Manager and Senior Vice President, GlobalFoundries (GF)
• Rafał Bugyi, CEO, TRUMPF Hüttinger GmbH & Co. KG
• Thomas Morgenstern, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Quality, Manufacturing and Technology, STMicroelectronics
• Thomas Richter, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Infineon Technologies

ISS Europe 2026 Highlights

ISS Executive Opening
Executives will examine the current semiconductor landscape and outline strategic priorities to reinforce Europe’s global competitiveness.

Session 1: Geopolitical Dynamics Impacting Market Success
Thought leaders will explore how shifting global power structures are reshaping semiconductor supply chains and assess Europe’s opportunities to strengthen competitiveness and technological leadership.

Session 2: Securing Europe’s Sovereignty: Collaboration for Resilient Supply Chains
Speakers will delve into how innovation, manufacturing excellence, and stronger supply partnerships can build resilience, reduce risk, and support long-term sustainability across the value chain.

Session 3: From Lab to Fab: Translating Innovation into Sustainable Manufacturing
Industry experts will examine the enablers of European competitiveness—from research and innovation capacity to talent development and industrial coordination.

Session 4: Strategic R&D and Disruptive Manufacturing
Participants will discover how advanced R&D and disruptive manufacturing approaches can accelerate performance, efficiency, and industrial strength in next-generation semiconductor technologies.

Session 5: Startup Innovations Driving the Next Era of Industry
Experts will spotlight how agile, tech-driven startups are reshaping value chains and enabling Europe’s competitive edge across materials, design, manufacturing, and automation.

Sponsors

• Headline:
  Invest in Pomerania
• Platinum:
  Edwards, MAX, Polish Investment & Trade Agency
• Gold:
  Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
• Event:
  DSV, EBARA, Heraeus, imec, TEL, Vital Materials, and Watlow 

For more details, please visit the Industry Strategy Symposium Europe (ISS Europe) 2026 website and connect with SEMI Europe on LinkedIn @SEMIEurope (#ISSEurope).

About SEMI 

SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.