Infineon Technologies

Infineon Technologies AG is a German company that makes tiny parts called semiconductor devices. These parts help power cars, security systems, and tools that save energy. In 2023, Infineon became Germany's biggest maker of these important parts, and by 2025, it had about 57,000 employees working around the world.

The company started in April 1999 when it was spun-off from Siemens, a big German engineering group. One year later, Infineon became a public company in the biggest tech initial public offering at that time. At first, Infineon focused on making memory chips, but later decided to concentrate on parts for cars and industry.

During the 2010s, Infineon made many changes by buying and selling different businesses. For example, it sold its wireless business to Intel Mobile Communications in 2011 and bought International Rectifier Corporation in 2014. By the late 2010s and early 2020s, Infineon kept growing its factories to make even more of these tiny parts that are used in many everyday things.

History

Infineon Technologies started as a part of the big German company Siemens. On April 1, 1999, it became its own company in what was called the biggest high-tech split in Europe at the time.

At first, Infineon made memory chips, but later it shifted focus to parts for cars and industry. Over the years, Infineon bought and sold many smaller companies to grow and change its business. In 2023, it was Germany’s largest chip maker and had around 57,000 employees.

Markets

Infineon makes tiny parts called semiconductors for cars, factories, and many other uses. These parts help control power and keep things secure. The company has offices and factories in many places, such as the United States, Singapore, and Tokyo.

Infineon makes special parts for cars, like those that help control the engine or keep airbags working safely. It also makes parts for managing electricity in factories and homes, and for lighting and computers. Another part of the company focuses on secure chips used in things like phone cards and passports. In 2023, Infineon was the biggest chip maker in Germany.

Controversy and litigation

In 2004–2005, an investigation looked into a group of companies, including Infineon, that worked together to control prices of computer parts. As a result, Infineon paid a fine and worked with government investigators.

Later, in 2010, Infineon faced legal action about the collapse of another company, Qimonda. This was settled with a large payment in 2024.

In 2014, European authorities found that Infineon and some other companies had worked together to set prices for security chips used in cards and computers.

In 2017, a problem was found in some security software made by Infineon. This issue could have affected many computer systems and identity cards in several countries. Microsoft quickly released an update to help protect users.