Imec, a research and development organization specializing in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, inaugurated a new semiconductor pilot line on June 3, 2024, in Leuven, Belgium. The facility, named NanoIC, was developed with an investment of 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) to advance the research and prototyping of semiconductor chips below the 2-nanometer node. The project is supported by public and private funding under the framework of the European Union’s Chips Act.
The inauguration event was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, and Minister-President of Flanders Jan Jambon. The NanoIC facility features a state-of-the-art cleanroom equipped to handle 300mm wafers, the industry standard for modern chip manufacturing.
According to Imec, the pilot line is intended to bridge the gap between advanced semiconductor research and large-scale commercial production. It will provide a platform for European and global equipment and material suppliers to test new technologies in a manufacturing-like environment. Industry partners, including semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML, will utilize the facility to prepare for the next generation of chip technology.
The project’s funding includes contributions from the European Commission, the Flemish Government, and various industry partners. The investment aligns with the goals of the EU Chips Act, a legislative package designed to increase the EU’s share of the global semiconductor market.
During the opening ceremony, officials highlighted the facility’s role in Europe’s technology strategy.
“The new Imec pilot line will help to reach the EU Chips Act’s ambition of producing 20% of the world’s most advanced chips in Europe by 2030,” said Ursula von der Leyen in a statement. She added that the facility would contribute to a stronger European semiconductor ecosystem.
Luc Van den hove, President and CEO of Imec, stated that the pilot line serves as a “crucial link from research and development to volume manufacturing.” He noted that the facility allows the industry to test new manufacturing recipes and equipment before they are deployed in high-volume fabrication plants.
The EU Chips Act aims to mobilize over 43 billion euros in public and private investments to support manufacturing, research, and startups in the European semiconductor sector. The policy was established in response to global supply chain disruptions and aims to reduce the bloc’s reliance on chip suppliers from outside Europe. The NanoIC pilot line is one of several initiatives supported by the Act to develop domestic research and manufacturing capabilities.
