The Leuven research centre, IMEC, has announced an investment of €2.5 billion for a new pilot line making chips smaller than 2 nanometres.
IMEC plans to partner with European and global device and materials vendors to establish this unique pilot line. The aim is to allow companies to explore the potential of cutting-edge chip technology for their future applications.
Funds for the pilot line, which will bridge the gap between chip innovation and the European industry, will come from both public and private stakeholders. The Flemish government and the European Commission - via the Horizon and Digital Europe funding programmes - are contributing a total of €1.4 billion.
A grant agreement is expected to be signed later this year as part of the 'Semiconductors' tripartite European partnership, which stimulates the development and adoption of advanced nanoelectronic chip technologies and systems manufactured in Europe.
Private contributions, including from Dutch chip machine manufacturer ASML, amount to €1.1 billion.
IMEC predicts that the pilot line will draw other investments from European and global industries for pilot projects.
“With the support of the EU, the Flemish government, and industry partners such as ASML, we can not only stay at the forefront of developing the most advanced chips, but also better meet market demand,” says IMEC CEO Luc Van den hove. “This investment will accelerate our innovation pace, strengthen Europe’s chip system, and stimulate economic growth in Europe and Flanders.”
“The fact that IMEC is given a central role in the EU Chips Act to strengthen the European industry confirms that we are moving in the right direction,” Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon commented.
