AIXTRON SE

Their core work

AIXTRON is a major German manufacturer of deposition equipment for semiconductor materials, specializing in MOCVD (Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) and OVPD (Organic Vapour Phase Deposition) systems. In H2020 projects, they contribute advanced thin-film deposition capabilities for manufacturing GaN power devices, organic electronics, graphene layers, and photovoltaic cells. Their equipment enables pilot-line and high-volume manufacturing of compound semiconductors, positioning them as a critical infrastructure supplier for Europe's semiconductor value chain. They bridge the gap between laboratory-scale material research and industrial-scale production processes.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), AIXTRON's work centred on organic electronics — OLED lighting, organic photovoltaics, roll-to-roll printing, and OVPD-based pilot lines for flexible devices. From 2019 onward, a decisive shift occurred toward GaN and SiC power semiconductors for automotive, smart grid, and energy-efficient power conversion, alongside graphene growth for the EU Flagship programme. This mirrors the broader industry pivot from organic electronics toward compound semiconductor power devices driven by electric mobility and energy transition demands.

AIXTRON is consolidating around wide-bandgap power semiconductors (GaN, SiC) for automotive and energy applications, making them an increasingly strategic partner for European power electronics and e-mobility projects.

How they like to work

AIXTRON operates exclusively as a participant — across all 18 projects, they never coordinated, indicating they prefer to contribute specialist equipment and process expertise rather than manage consortia. With 357 unique partners across 25 countries, they are a highly networked hub rather than a loyalty-driven partner, integrating into diverse research and industrial consortia. This makes them easy to bring into new projects as a trusted equipment and process provider without expecting a leadership role.

AIXTRON has collaborated with 357 unique partners across 25 countries, making them one of the most broadly connected equipment companies in H2020 semiconductor projects. Their network spans major European semiconductor research hubs including Fraunhofer institutes, IMEC, CEA, and university groups across Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Southern Europe.

What sets them apart

AIXTRON occupies a rare position as a large-scale deposition equipment manufacturer that actively participates in pre-competitive EU research — most equipment makers of their size stay out of collaborative R&D. Their ability to provide both OVPD systems for organic electronics and MOCVD systems for compound semiconductors means they can serve projects spanning very different material families. For consortium builders, AIXTRON brings immediate credibility in manufacturing scale-up and an unmatched partner network in European semiconductor R&D.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 2D-EPL
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 1.45M) — the Graphene Flagship pilot line for scaling 2D material manufacturing, signalling AIXTRON's strategic bet on graphene growth technology.
• YESvGaN
  Targets vertical GaN-on-Silicon at silicon cost — directly addresses the price barrier that has limited wide-bandgap adoption in mass-market power electronics.
• TRANSFORM
  Part of building a trusted European SiC value chain for e-mobility and grid automation — positions AIXTRON in the politically strategic semiconductor sovereignty agenda.