The EU invests €700 million in the newly inaugurated NanoIC, Europe’s largest chip pilot line.

The European Union has launched its largest pilot lineunder the Chips Act, NanoIC, at IMEC Leuven, a key milestone for semiconductor development and manufacturing in Europe. With a total investment of €2.5 billion, the facility has received €700 million in funding from the EU, €700 million from national and regional governments, and the remainder from ASML and other industry partners. NanoIC will accelerate the development of next-generation semiconductor technology, which is essential for the development of AI, autonomous vehicles, healthcare and 6G mobile technology.

NanoIC is the first European plant to implement the most advanced extreme ultraviolet lithography machine, focusing on the design and manufacture of chips with technology exceeding two nanometres. This represents a significant advance in European semiconductor manufacturing technology.

Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele inaugurated the facility, which will enable researchers and companies to test new chip designs, equipment and processes on a near-industrial scale prior to mass production.

It is based on the principle of open access, allowing start-ups, researchers, SMEs and large organisations to use the NanoIC facilities. Organised by IMEC (Belgium), its partners include CEA-Leti (France), Fraunhofer (Germany), VTT (Finland), CSSNT (Romania) and the Tyndall National Institute (Ireland).

Designed to bring chip technologies from the laboratory to the factory, the pilot lines are a key pillar of theChips for Europeinitiative, under the Chips Act. They will strengthen the position of European players in the global semiconductor supply chain and will be open to trusted partners, boosting Europe’s industrial base and competitiveness, while helping to retain and attract talent.

Background

The five pilot lines (NanoIC, FAMES, APECS, WBG and PIXE urope) under the Chips Act represent a combined EU and national investment of €3.7 billion, connecting European research excellence with industrial application. The opening of the NanoIC pilot line follows the inauguration of FAMES on 30 January. The start of operational activity at these facilities is a key milestone in strengthening Europe’s semiconductor sovereignty and industrial base. Almost exactly four years after President Ursula von der Leyen announcedthe European Chips Act, the opening of NanoIC coincides with the Commission’s engagement with industry and stakeholders on the revision of the CHIPS Act 2.0.

More information: European Commission.