First groundbreaking ceremony

The technology company LPKF began construction of a cleanroom factory at the company's headquarters in Garbsen on November 19, 2019, with a groundbreaking ceremony. The mayor of Garbsen, Dr. Christian Grahl, the CEO of LPKF, Dr. Götz M. Bendele, as well as the Managing Director of the Electronics Business Unit, Dr. Roman Ostholt, jointly marked a milestone for the continued growth of LPKF at its corporate headquarters.

LPKF will establish an approximately 800 sqm production hall with an ISO 6 cleanroom at Bahlbrink 11. Components made from thin glass for the electronics and semiconductor industries will be manufactured here in the future. With the LIDE process (Laser Induced Deep Etching), developed by LPKF, it is possible to quickly and precisely structure thin glass without damaging the surface. This preserves the original stability of the glass in full. This process can be used for the production of microsystems, sensors, MEMS, and microchips. With the construction of this glass foundry, the company will operate as a manufacturing service provider under the name Vitrion, working closely with customers and partners in the semiconductor and electronics industries.

"Our first glass foundry represents our innovation strength and speed of implementation, as well as our unwavering commitment to providing our customers with solutions and services that create competitive advantages and generate value for them," said Bendele, adding: "In the near future, we will supply customers in the semiconductor and electronics industries worldwide with highly precise glass components from Garbsen." Besides the traditional solution business, this is a significant expansion of the company's business model.

Dr. Christian Grahl, mayor of Garbsen, is pleased about the construction project in the immediate vicinity of the newly opened Mechanical Engineering campus of Leibniz University Hannover in Garbsen. "Microsystem technology is an important factor for Lower Saxony as a technology location. Components and products of microsystem technology are also crucial for the future of the automotive industry, especially for e-mobility and autonomous driving," said Grahl.

LPKF is investing more than 5 million euros in the first phase of the project. The cleanroom is expected to be completed by mid-2020.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Grahl, Bendele, and Ostholt were accompanied by CFO Christian Witt, Vitrion Group Operations Manager Dirk Neizel, Facility Management Director Thomas Brandes, and Thomas Rauhe from Grote GmbH.