# Electronica 24: The Crucial Role of PCBs and Advanced IC Substrates with Matthias Pirs from AT&S

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2024-12-19
- Length: 7m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-the-crucial-role-of-pcbs-and-advanced-ic-substrates-with-matthias

## Summary

Matthias Pirs, Director of Corporate Affairs at AT&S, discusses the company's strategic transition from high-end PCBs to advanced IC substrates for the semiconductor industry. He highlights a 500-million-euro investment in Austria to support AI and advanced packaging trends, emphasizing the need for European resilience in microelectronics. Pirs explains how trade associations like IPC are critical for collective advocacy with EU policymakers to secure supply chains and maintain competitiveness against Asian markets.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-the-crucial-role-of-pcbs-and-advanced-ic-substrates-with-matthias#t=8) Introduction: Matthias Pirs and AT&S Role
- [1:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-the-crucial-role-of-pcbs-and-advanced-ic-substrates-with-matthias#t=72) AT&S Global Strategy and 500M Euro Austria Investment
- [1:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-the-crucial-role-of-pcbs-and-advanced-ic-substrates-with-matthias#t=114) Transition to IC Substrates for AI and Semiconductors
- [2:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-the-crucial-role-of-pcbs-and-advanced-ic-substrates-with-matthias#t=168) EU Policy Engagement and Microelectronics Ecosystem
- [3:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-the-crucial-role-of-pcbs-and-advanced-ic-substrates-with-matthias#t=229) The Role of IPC in Industry Advocacy
- [5:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-the-crucial-role-of-pcbs-and-advanced-ic-substrates-with-matthias#t=317) European Industry Survival and Technology Leadership
- [7:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-the-crucial-role-of-pcbs-and-advanced-ic-substrates-with-matthias#t=420) Balancing European R&D with Asian High-Volume Production

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- AT&S (company)
- IPC (other)
- Zona (company)
- Elfa (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Inside PCBAA's Fight for American Circuit Board Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-07-30-inside-pcbaas-fight-for-american-circuit-board-manufacturing) (OnTrack)
- [FPGAs, Robots & Thermocouples - Wampum's Wavering Worth](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-04-17-fpgas-robots-thermocouples-wampums-wavering-worth) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Future of PCB Manufacturing: Tariffs, Supply Chains & More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-18-the-future-of-pcb-manufacturing-tariffs-supply-chains-more) (OnTrack)
- [What's Driving the Next Wave of Electronics Engineers?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-31-whats-driving-the-next-wave-of-electronics-engineers) (OnTrack)
- [Unpacking Semiconductor Packaging: Insights with Jan Vardaman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-04-23-unpacking-semiconductor-packaging-insights-with-jan-vardaman) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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