AT & S AUSTRIA TECHNOLOGIE & SYSTEMTECHNIK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Their core work

AT&S is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs) and IC substrates, headquartered in Leoben, Austria. Their core industrial expertise lies in high-density interconnect technologies, chip-package-board integration, and packaging solutions for semiconductors and power electronics. In H2020 projects, they contribute manufacturing know-how for embedding components, ensuring reliability of electronic assemblies, and developing packaging for GaN power devices and mmWave RF systems. Their work spans from sustainable electronics lifecycles to next-generation 5G and smart mobility power systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2017), AT&S focused on sustainable electronics lifecycles, smart device remanufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing digitalization, and industrial wastewater recovery — a broad spread reflecting exploratory engagement. From 2019 onward, their participation sharpened dramatically toward GaN power electronics, chip-package-board reliability, 5G/mmWave RF systems, and smart mobility — all centered on their core competence in advanced packaging and substrates. The trajectory shows a company that moved from general Industry 4.0 participation to deep specialization in next-generation power and RF electronics packaging.

AT&S is concentrating on packaging solutions for wide-bandgap semiconductors (GaN) and high-frequency RF systems, positioning them at the intersection of 5G infrastructure, electric mobility, and smart grid applications.

How they like to work

AT&S participates exclusively as a partner — never as coordinator — reflecting a large industrial company that contributes specialized manufacturing capability to research-driven consortia rather than leading them. With 223 unique partners across 21 countries in just 9 projects, they operate in large consortia (averaging ~25 partners per project), typical of ECSEL/KDT-style electronics initiatives. This broad network suggests they are a sought-after industrial partner valued for their real-world production expertise.

AT&S has built an extensive European network of 223 unique partners across 21 countries through 9 projects, primarily within the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. Their partnerships span major European electronics hubs including Germany, France, Netherlands, and the Nordic countries, with strong ties to both research institutions and fellow industrial players.

What sets them apart

AT&S is one of the few European companies with world-class capability in advanced PCB substrates and IC packaging — a strategic competence as Europe pushes for semiconductor sovereignty. Unlike research institutes that study packaging in theory, AT&S brings actual high-volume manufacturing infrastructure and process know-how to consortia. For any project needing to go from chip design to a working packaged system, AT&S offers the bridge between semiconductor R&D and industrial-scale production.

Highlights from their portfolio

• sustainablySMART
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 801K) and their earliest H2020 project — focused on sustainable mobile device lifecycles, an unusual topic for a PCB manufacturer showing breadth.
• UltimateGaN
  Central to the European GaN ecosystem addressing 5G, smart grid, and smart mobility — a technology area where AT&S is increasingly concentrating.
• iRel40
  Directly addresses Quality 4.0 and physics-of-failure prediction for electronics reliability — core to AT&S's value proposition as a packaging company.