News item | 08-06-2023 | 8:50 pm
Dutch start-ups, SME suppliers, large companies and knowledge institutions can participate in the so-called IPCEI, Important Project of Common European Interest, in the field of microelectronics. The European Commission approved the submitted Dutch projects today. The government itself contributes 230 million euros to the development of innovations such as radar, 6G technology, advanced machines and tests for the semiconductor industry.
For this IPCEI, the European Commission has approved public support for 68 projects in fourteen EU member states, including the Netherlands. This involves a total amount of 8.1 billion euros, which is also supplemented by approximately 13.7 billion euros in private investments in these projects.
Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate): “This is good news for our business community and the government’s efforts to keep the Netherlands competitive and innovative. With this IPCEI we support new smart technologies from the Dutch high-tech (manufacturing) industry and thus also stimulate additional private investments in this. Moreover, a lot of extra financial scope is available for this sector through the National Growth Fund to create a strong and innovative business climate.”
Dutch projects
It concerns five approved innovative Dutch projects: radar and 6G technology (both NXP), realization of the latest machines for advanced semiconductor production (ASML and Nearfield Instruments), developments for innovations in semiconductor testing (Thermo Fisher). The sixth project – integrated photonics solutions (SMART Photonics) – has voluntarily withdrawn from the IPCEI.
This IPCEI is an important one for the Dutch semiconductor industry. The Netherlands has a strong global position within this industry and would like to maintain and further strengthen this competitive advantage. This is necessary, because there is a strong competition going on globally in this technology that is putting our position under pressure.
Semiconductors are a crucial key technology and decisive for a modern digital and sustainable society that the Netherlands wants to be. Semiconductors are indispensable in communication applications (5G/6G), the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and in making the automotive industry more sustainable. For example, there are already more than 3,000 chips in an electric car.