SILEX MICROSYSTEMS AB

Their core work

Silex Microsystems is a Swedish MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) foundry that manufactures microfabricated devices for industrial and medical applications. They specialize in advanced thin-film deposition processes, particularly Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), and provide foundry-grade manufacturing services for semiconductor and medical device companies. Their work spans from piezoelectric energy harvesting components to smart catheters and implantable medical devices, positioning them as a critical fabrication partner in the European microsystems supply chain.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Silex began their H2020 participation with broader MEMS work — coordinating an energy harvesting project (smart-MEMPHIS, 2014) and joining a medical device pilot line (InForMed, 2015). In their later projects (2017-2021), focus sharpened toward two specific application domains: ALD process equipment for the semiconductor industry (SALADIN) and smart medical implants (POSITION-II). The shift suggests a company moving from general MEMS foundry services toward higher-value, more specialized manufacturing capabilities.

Silex is moving toward specialized semiconductor manufacturing equipment and medical device fabrication — two high-margin segments where MEMS foundry expertise commands premium value.

How they like to work

Silex operates primarily as a participant (3 of 4 projects), contributing specialized fabrication capabilities to larger consortia. They coordinated one project (smart-MEMPHIS), their largest by funding, showing they can lead when the topic is core to their expertise. With 79 unique partners across 13 countries, they maintain a broad European network typical of a sought-after fabrication partner that multiple consortia want on board.

Silex has collaborated with 79 unique partners across 13 countries, indicating strong demand for their fabrication services across diverse European consortia. Their network spans both the semiconductor and medical device ecosystems.

What sets them apart

Silex is one of very few independent, pure-play MEMS foundries in Europe — they don't design their own products but manufacture other companies' microsystem designs at scale. This foundry model makes them a rare and valuable partner: they bring fabrication infrastructure without competing with the consortium's IP owners. Their combination of ALD process expertise and medical device manufacturing experience is particularly hard to find in a single SME.

Highlights from their portfolio

• smart-MEMPHIS
  Silex's only coordinator role and largest single grant (EUR 1.46M), focused on piezoelectric MEMS energy harvesting with integrated packaging.
• SALADIN
  Targeted development of an automated ALD batch tool for semiconductor foundries — directly tied to Silex's core manufacturing business and future growth.
• POSITION-II
  Part of a pilot line for next-generation smart catheters and implants, demonstrating Silex's reach into the high-value medical device fabrication market.