Chip shortage: the lack of semiconductors motivates us to give our best

The semiconductor shortage began in 2020 as the unforeseen effect of the pandemic. The long wave created by the chip shortage continues to affect the electronics sector and has spread, more generally, in every production sector. There are no chips, sensors and memories that make control units, computers and equipment of various kinds work. Faced with a situation that affects everyone across the board, it is important to face a scenario that has deeply changed in a short time, rather than compete.

There are some encouraging signs, even if the picture is not yet reassuring. As for standard materials, the situation is slowly but steadily improving. Both the availability of semiconductors and the increase in prices do not seem to be of particular concern. The scenario changes completely in reference to the materials out of standard. To receive a supply in this case can take several months.

In addition to the cost of the raw material, the increase is likely to be added to the actual processing. The growing need for subcontracting in the supply chain makes it impossible to have full control and thus to have stable price estimates. The result is an extreme difficulty in planning production and a growing uncertainty.

In Europe, Ursula Von Der Leyen in her speech on the State of the Union last September 15 was very clear: “Today we depend on advanced integrated components produced in Asia. It is not just a problem of competitiveness. It is rather a fundamental issue to ensure our technological autonomy”. The European Chips Act was thus approved with the aim of “creating an ecosystem conducive to the development of microelectronics, including production”. The intention is to double semiconductor production in Europe by 2030 and to move from the 10% share of the global market to 20% in ten years.

In this difficult global landscape EL.C.A. Shows its determination and constantly strives to put all its capabilities and potential into the field..the continuous work to sensitization and involvement of the customers on the current situation has allowed to obtain the hoped results: production for much of 2022 is already on planner.
The uncertainties about price developments and the associated risk of inflation remain. But there is also a greater awareness on the part of customers to reconsider long-term estimates.

The real positive sign remains the growing desire to dialogue in person, setting aside prejudices and perplexities. The electronocs sector in Italy still has a lot to say and EL.C.A. Is an integral part of it.