Siemens AG has officially started work on its new Technology Campus in Erlangen, a flagship project within the company’s Made for Germany initiative, which aims to boost Germany’s industrial competitiveness.
Representing an investment of €500 million, the campus will serve as a model for the industrial metaverse and focus on advancing power electronics, automation, and digitalisation.
A central element of the project is its emphasis on the industrial metaverse—a virtual environment where companies can use digital twins and artificial intelligence to simulate, test, and refine processes, products, and systems. This approach enables businesses to optimise operations virtually before implementing them in reality, reducing risks and enhancing efficiency.
The project will be built in two stages. The first phase, scheduled for completion in 2027, will deliver a 7,000-square-metre logistics, services, and flexible automation centre, providing workspace for around 300 employees. The second phase, set for 2030, will establish a development and innovation hub dedicated to power electronics, along with additional production capacity for next-generation converters and controls.
Siemens is already incorporating smart building technologies into the development. Sustainable practices are central to the project, including the use of green energy during construction and the recycling of 96% of demolition materials. These measures helped prevent 70 tons of CO2 emissions and saved 24,000 litres of diesel.
The Erlangen campus forms part of Siemens’ wider €2 billion global investment plan announced in 2023, with €1 billion earmarked for Germany. It is expected to strengthen Siemens’ leadership in industrial metaverse technologies, which enable digital simulation and optimisation of industrial processes prior to real-world execution.
“The Siemens Technology Campus in Erlangen is a lighthouse project of the Made for Germany initiative, showcasing Germany’s innovative strength and competitiveness,” said Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG. “Here, we combine outstanding products with a bold focus on customer value, digitalisation, automation, and artificial intelligence.”
Sources: evertiq.com; woodandpanel.com