Black Semiconductor partners with Critical Manufacturing for FabONE automation. FabONE facility leverages advanced MES and ai-enabled automation for next-generation graphene-based semiconductor production. Critical Manufacturing, a leading provider of Manufacturing Operations Platforms (MOP), has been chosen by Black Semiconductor GmbH to deliver the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and automation backbone for the company's new 300mm semiconductor wafer facility, FabONE, in Aachen. The state-of-the-art facility will scale Black Semiconductor's graphene-based chip interconnect technology into a mass-production environment, representing one of Europe's most ambitious semiconductor innovation projects. FabONE: A next-generation greenfield semiconductor fab. FabONE is a fully automated greenfield frontend fab, designed from the ground up for high-efficiency semiconductor production. Black Semiconductor conducted a competitive Request for Proposal (RfP) to select a partner capable of managing the complexities of a next-generation fab. Critical Manufacturing's proven expertise in automated frontend semiconductor facilities was a key factor in its selection. "FabONE represents a significant step for our technology enablement and for the European semiconductor ecosystem," said Samivel Krishnamoorthy, Senior Director of Fab Automation & Integration at Black Semiconductor. "Critical Manufacturing's complete MOM capabilities give us the foundation to achieve production maturity quickly, reliably, and at scale." Comprehensive MES and automation capabilities. Critical Manufacturing will provide a full suite of MES modules for FabONE, integrated with: * Equipment Integration (EI) via Connect IoT modules * Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) connectivity * ERP system integration * AI-enabled data platform for advanced analytics and decision-making Once operational, FabONE is designed to run with minimal operator intervention, enabling Black Semiconductor to validate process stability, demonstrate manufacturability, and progress toward volume production. Advancing European semiconductor innovation. For Critical Manufacturing, the FabONE project represents a major milestone in Europe. The company has extensive experience in automation frameworks for compound semiconductors and microelectronics, and FabONE showcases its readiness to support advanced 300mm frontend semiconductor manufacturing. "Graphene-based chip interconnects are a bold step for the industry," said Tom Bednarz, Managing Director at Critical Manufacturing Germany. "Turning that vision into a production-capable reality requires an MES that can keep pace with constant innovation. We are proud to support Black Semiconductor with a highly automated and adaptable platform." Driving data-driven, industry 4.0 manufacturing. The partnership highlights the growing importance of digital infrastructure in semiconductor competitiveness. By combining Critical Manufacturing's MES expertise with Black Semiconductor's cutting-edge technology, FabONE is positioned to become a cornerstone of next-generation semiconductor manufacturing in Europe, setting new standards for automation, efficiency, and scalability.

Black Semiconductor has raised €254 million to develop graphene-based chips, providing a significant boost to the European semiconductor sector. The funding aims to support new hardware and software innovations, potentially creating new industries and niches. The European Space Agency (ESA) is also exploring new battery technologies for space missions, seeking alternatives to Russian plutonium. This development could enhance opportunities for European startups, particularly in markets like Dubai.