Amsterdam (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU will fund 133 million euros for photonic semiconductor production in the Netherlands, advancing innovation.
Dutch economy ministry has revealed that the European Union will finance 133 million euros ($142 million) in pilot production structures for photonic semiconductors in the Netherlands. As reported by Reuters, the allocation is part of a total amount of 380 million euros sought to set up photonic semiconductor production plants throughout Europe under the so-called Chips Joint Undertaking, a European public-private partnership to advance research and development in the semiconductor industry.
How will the EU’s funding boost photonic semiconductor production?
Photonic semiconductors employ light, rather than electrons, to complete calculations, with advantages in speed and power consumption, driving them increasingly valuable for applications including data centres and cars. “Photonics is a technology of strategic importance,” Dutch economy minister Dirk Beljaarts stated in a statement. “Our goal is to get a strong European competitive edge. From knowledge, innovation, supply chains to end products.”
How does the eu plan to compete with Asia and the U.S. in semiconductors?
Executives from a group of Europe’s biggest photonic computer chip companies last year called on the European Union to back the growing industry with 4.25 billion euros in budget to help it compete with rivals in Asia and the United States.
After being commissioned by the European Commission to investigate how the EU should keep its greening and more digital economy competitive at a time of advanced global friction, former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi stated in a report in September that the bloc must invest far more and far faster to keep pace economically with the U.S. and China. Work on the Dutch facilities is expected to begin in 2025, led by the universities of Eindhoven and Twente in collaboration with the Dutch knowledge institute TNO.
