High-tech innovation made in Baden-Württemberg: State Premier Özdemir visits ZEISS

• “ZEISS is an outstanding example of high-tech innovations,” says Özdemir.
• ZEISS makes the impossible possible – thanks to forward-thinking innovation planning.
• Technologies from ZEISS are shaping entire industries, including the semiconductor sector.
• ZEISS combines investments in innovation with measures to strengthen competitiveness
  

Oberkochen, Germany | 31 July 2026 | ZEISS Group

Cem Özdemir, State Premier of Baden-Württemberg, visited the ZEISS site in Oberkochen, Germany, today. Andreas Pecher, President and CEO of the ZEISS Group, and Dr. Frank Rohmund, Member of the Executive Board of the ZEISS Group and responsible for the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) segment, welcomed the Premier. They gave him insights into the portfolio of this internationally leading technology enterprise as well as its production facilities for optics used in semiconductor manufacturing. Afterward, they discussed the importance of Baden-Württemberg as a technology hub in the competitive global environment.

“Without ZEISS technology, hardly any microchips would be produced globally,” said Premier Özdemir, expressing his admiration for the company’s innovative work in Oberkochen. “With its consistent focus on future technologies, ZEISS continually drives the development of innovative solutions. ZEISS is an outstanding example of high-tech innovations made in Baden-Württemberg and a fundamental part of the chip ecosystem in Baden-Württemberg.”

Innovation is part of ZEISS’ DNA: For 180 years, ZEISS has continually redefined the world of optics and the optoelectronics industry as well as these markets. As a foundation-owned company, ZEISS can invest in innovations at the limits of physics that take decades to reach market readiness.

“Our ambition is to make the impossible possible for our customers, which usually also creates a competitive advantage. That's why we consistently make above-average investments in research and development and our markets,” said Andreas Pecher. “At the same time, for us innovation is also never an end in itself. Our strategy is focused on technologies and solutions that customers need and that improve the lives of people around the world.”

The broad portfolio of the four ZEISS segments is aligned with megatrends such as digitalization and healthcare. Innovation Hubs, a ventures area, and programs such as Beyond Innovation translate research into practical applications, open up opportunities outside the core business, and strengthen the foundation for future growth. For example: by tapping into new market fields such as agricultural technology and by pursuing new technologies such as photonic integrated circuits (PICs).

During a tour of the production facilities, the Premier saw ZEISS’ innovative strength in action. At the ZEISS SMT segment, lithography optics for the global semiconductor industry are produced with extreme nanometer precision. 80 percent of all microchips worldwide are manufactured using ZEISS optics and lithography systems from its strategic partner, ASML. For high-end chips manufactured using EUV lithography – EUV stands for “extreme ultraviolet” light – the figure is 100 percent.

Among other things, these microchips enable the processing of enormous amounts of data – the foundation for AI applications.

“The advancement of artificial intelligence and the semiconductor industry are directly linked," explained Dr. Frank Rohmund. "Our innovations are shaping important industries and are the result of decades of research in Baden-Württemberg and collaboration with international partners like ASML. These innovations are driving key global technologies.”

Globally, the economic environment remains challenging and growth subdued. ZEISS is responding to these developments with a clear strategy.

“As a foundation-owned company, ZEISS thinks and acts with a long-term perspective: We are committed to consistent investments in research and development, as well as targeted measures to strengthen our competitiveness – from cost discipline to ongoing adjustments to our cost structures. This will enable us to continue shaping future technologies worldwide in the coming decades," said Andreas Pecher.