Poland’s Microelectronics and Photonics Hub – Powering a Smarter Economy

Poland is steadily emerging as a hub for advanced technologies designed to meet the evolving needs of domestic industry. The newly established Center of Competence in Microelectronics and Photonics is a collaborative initiative by three leading research institutions: the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics (project leader), the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Tele- and Radioelectronics, and CEZAMAT – the Center for Advanced Materials and Technologies at Warsaw University of Technology. The project aims to boost the country’s innovation capacity by building world-class R&D infrastructure.

Investing in the Technology of Tomorrow

With a budget exceeding PLN 97 million—including PLN 70 million in funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan—the project will support the modernization and expansion of laboratories with cutting-edge equipment for technological, diagnostic, and measurement research.

As part of this initiative, CEZAMAT will create Poland’s first and only production line for photonic integrated circuits and advanced microelectronic devices, tailored for 200 mm wafer processing. This will mark a milestone for Central and Eastern Europe, placing Poland at the forefront of technological capabilities in the region.

Strengthening National Research Infrastructure

The project also encompasses the construction and modernization of a suite of specialized laboratories, including:

• Functional Materials Laboratory
• GaN Technology and Micromounting Laboratory
• Infrared Photonics Laboratory
• Electronic Systems and Integrated Circuit Design Laboratory
• Graphene and Advanced Nanotechnologies Center
• Specialty Glass and Optical Fiber Laboratory
• Printed Circuit Board and Electronic Assembly Laboratory
• Advanced Materials Center

These new and upgraded facilities will serve as collaborative spaces for interdisciplinary research, uniting engineers, designers, and scientists from a range of technical domains. Their shared mission: to develop breakthrough technologies and support their commercialization.

The Center is designed to directly respond to the research and development needs of Polish companies, particularly in the fields of electronics, microelectronics, photonics, materials engineering, and semiconductor technology. It will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and advanced technology to industry, accelerating the digital transformation and modernization of the Polish economy.

Enhancing Global Competitiveness

By providing access to R&D infrastructure aligned with global standards, the Center will help Polish companies compete on the international stage. It will increase their potential to secure international research grants and build strategic partnerships with global technology leaders.

Pioneering Innovations in PCB and Electronics Assembly

A key component of the project is the modernization of the Printed Circuit Boards and Electronic Assembly Laboratory at the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Tele- and Radioelectronics. This facility will focus on developing innovative technologies for the electronics sector, including next-generation hybrid and high-density interconnect (HDI) PCBs.

Research will leverage state-of-the-art technologies such as laser ablation, plasma activation, vacuum lamination, and advanced protective coating methods. These will enable the miniaturization of electronic systems, reduce weight, and enhance signal transmission performance. The resulting solutions will find applications across a wide range of industries—from consumer electronics and automotive, to medical, defense, and even space technologies.

The establishment of the Center of Competence in Microelectronics and Photonics is a strategic move toward building a knowledge-based economy—one where innovation, science, and technology drive sustainable growth. The initiative will not only raise the standard of scientific research in Poland, but also directly contribute to economic modernization, job creation, talent development, and an improved quality of life.