Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Leuven nanotech research center imec in Belgium is "essential" to the EU chip law, von der Leyen's remarks came on the sidelines of a visit to the center on Friday.
The law, which was agreed last year and is due to take effect in the fall, aims to double Europe's chip production capacity by 2030. Europe currently has a 10 percent market share.
Von der Leyen, Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, Flemish Minister Jan Gambon and Flemish Minister for Labor and Economy Jo Bruns visited on Friday. Imec is a world-renowned research center in the field of nanotechnology, which bridges innovative discoveries and manufacturing companies. The majority of new chip technologies being discovered in the world are being tested at IMEC, allowing scientists to see what needs exist when moving from lab setup to mass production.
"The role that IMEC plays in the EU's ambitions will be of particular importance," said von der Leyen. “In order to be less dependent on East Asia, we need to increase our production here in Europe: IMEC is essential to our economic security. For investors who need to research and test their innovations before moving into mass production, it is an important place.”
And the Commission in Brussels published the text of Vonderlein's speech, which read, "I am very happy that we are here today in Belgium as an innovation force in the heart of Europe and with IMEC as a champion of digital innovation, unique all over the world. Born in the heart of Flanders, in one of the oldest universities in Europe, IMEC is Basically innovating the future.Because you have long realized how to build world-class technical leadership, through innovation but also through cooperation.You have become an indispensable partner in the global semiconductor industry, and always reach the next frontier.
The European Union has been a trusted partner on your side in this journey. Over the past decade, more than €300 million in investments from the flagship programs Horizon 2020 and then Horizon Europe have gone to IMEC. And now, we're opening a new chapter with Chip Law. We want to make Europe a leader in global semiconductor research, design, testing and production. The chip law will only officially go into effect this fall, but it's already generating incredible momentum. Since we proposed the European Chip Act in February last year, more than 90 billion euros of industrial investments have been announced in Europe; For example, €12 billion for a semiconductor testing and packaging facility in Poland; Or 30 billion euros to buy the first Fabence Fab from Magdeburg in Germany. But we also see investment in Dublin, Catania, Grenoble and Dresden.
The chip law sends a very powerful message. It provides tangible financing opportunities for capacity building along the entire value chain. It builds on European strengths, such as the world-leading research and leadership conducted at IMEC
. IMEC is a major attraction for investors who need to research and test their innovations before mass production. So IMEC is facilitating these investments and also benefiting from these investments. Also vital is the public-private partnership for success at scale. I know Flanders plans to make a large co-investment in one advanced pilot line at IMEC.
The Chip Act - and thus the European level - would provide significant funding for three advanced pilot lines. And I very much welcome that the new partnership that I just announced with ASML is emerging - of course, based on a long-standing friendship and partnership - ASML is another pillar of strength in the chip ecosystem in Europe.” ASML is a leading global equipment manufacturer. chip manufacturing
"This brings me to my second point, which is cooperation. You already have a strong network, which stretches across the Union, and in fact the whole world. And you are actively strengthening it: from Spain to Romania, from Ireland to Finland. You are working with German, French and Finnish partners." on cutting-edge AI chips, for example.Such collaborations will nurture European players in our chip ecosystem — and also attract trusted global players.
My last point is related to the geopolitical context. Chips are essential to our green and digital transformations and economies. Our economy will not function without chips. So we need to reduce our dependence on very few suppliers from East Asia. We have to de-risk our supply chains for chips - it's vital. And we need to step up design, testing and production here in Europe. Therefore, the Chip Code is a game changer. And champions of innovation like IMEC are a vital asset to our economic security.
The Flemish government said on Friday that the European Union and the regional Flemish government of Belgium will invest 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in Belgian chip technology company Emec.
Imec will use the investment to expand its "clean room" testing facility with state-of-the-art equipment and processes, the company said in a statement.
"We know we will get our money back, not only in euros but also from societal dividends," Flemish Prime Minister Jan Gambon said at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo.