Internet of things and embedded computer technology company Kontron has launched a production line for 5G communication modules at its Düsseldorf, Germany, site. 

The line will produce 5G Automotive Network Access Devices (NADs) and 5G Industrial M.2 communication modules, Kontron said. The company said it is the only manufacturer worldwide to develop these modules in Europe and produce them in Germany.

Mona Neubaur, minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Thomas Jarzombek, parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernisation, visited the Kontron Automotive GmbH site to mark the start of production.

Kontron said the expansion is aimed at strengthening supply-chain resilience and reducing dependence on non-European suppliers that dominate the global market for communication modules. The modules are used in smart factories, connected vehicles, energy systems, medical devices, critical infrastructure and Industrial IoT applications.

"By establishing 5G production in Düsseldorf, we are sending a clear signal in favor of 'Made in Germany' and a strong European technology base," said Christoph Caselitz, executive vice president of Automotive at Kontron and responsible for the Düsseldorf site.

Kontron Automotive GmbH employs approximately 120 professionals in Düsseldorf. The site has about 3,700 m² of production space and 2,000 m² of warehouse space, with production of approximately 15 million printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA) and over 1 million electronic control units (ECUs) projected for 2026.

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