Thread

1. HPsquared · 1790346004 · focus · HN ↗

   Semiconductor fabs involve a lot of hazardous chemicals, process changes and high energy consumption. Exactly the kind of thing European regulations tend to deter or slow down. Which is somewhat fine if there is nowhere else to build it, but if other places are easier, well...

   1. Zagitta · 1790346116 · focus · HN ↗

      Everyone loves a good race to the bottom with the environment

      1. alephnerd · 1790346406 · focus · HN ↗

         Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US all share comparable living standards to Western European states yet are able to maintain and expand semiconductor manufacturing.

         The issue is with policymaking - coordination between the EU, national, and local governments is weak so high capex projects become risky.

         Edit: can't reply

         > Your first 3 countries are also incredibly poor comparisons for living standards as they have horrendous work/life balance.

         Their hours worked are comparable to most Western European states as well now [0]. Germany is unique in Europe based on hours worked, and is why German industry is pushing to bring back the 40 hour work week.

         [0] - <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.oecd.org&#x2F;en&#x2F;data&#x2F;indicators&#x2F;hours-worked.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.oecd.org&#x2F;en&#x2F;data&#x2F;indicators&#x2F;hours-worked.html

         1. throwaway132448 · 1790347412 · focus · HN ↗

            &gt; comparable living standards

            So vague as to be utterly meaningless.

            And slow moving regulation literally incentivises high capex long-horizon investment.

            1. alephnerd · 1790347555 · focus · HN ↗

               HDI is a good metric for gauging living standards [0]

               And slow moving execution and creation of relevant legislation is a hindrance for capex in high risk projects like those in the semiconductor segment.

               The Draghi report was published 2 years ago, and remains largely unimplemented.

               [0] - <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;List_of_countries_by_Human_Dev...

               1. barry-cotter · 1790507419 · focus · HN ↗

                  &gt; HDI is a good metric for gauging living standards

                  A country with living standards at Bill Gates levels with perfect good health until 200 where everyone is illiterate has a lower HDI than South Sudan. Even if we fix it by setting the minimum education value at 0.1 billionaires with perfect health land would have a HDI lower than 180 countries. HDI has a 90%+ correlation with GDP. It’s not a worthwhile measure.

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