Leuven, 7 July 2023 (TDI): During a visit to IMEC, the Commission emphasized Belgium’s position as an innovation powerhouse at the heart of Europe and commended IMEC’s role as a global leader in digital innovation.
IMEC, born in the heart of Flanders within one of Europe’s oldest universities, is credited with inventing the future through its pioneering research and collaborative efforts.
Press statement by President @vonderleyen on the occasion of the visit to the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre @imec_int in Leuven 🇧🇪https://t.co/IZvDdyipmq pic.twitter.com/uehXJxmmeE
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) July 7, 2023
Belgium’s commitment to building world-class tech leadership through innovation and collaboration has made the country an indispensable partner in the global semiconductor industry, continuously pushing boundaries and reaching for new frontiers.
The European Union has been a steadfast supporter of Belgium’s innovation journey, with over EUR 300 million in investments from flagship programs such as Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe directed towards IMEC over the past decade.
The visit marked the opening of a new chapter with the introduction of the Chips Act, aimed at establishing Europe as a global leader in semiconductor research, design, testing, and production.
Although the Chips Act will officially come into force in autumn, it has already generated significant momentum.
Since the European Commission proposed the Chips Act in February of last year, more than EUR 90 billion of industrial investments have been announced in Europe.
Furthermore, this includes substantial investments in semiconductor packaging and test facilities in Poland, as well as the development of two groundbreaking fabs in Magdeburg, Germany, among others.
The Chips Act is sending a powerful message by offering concrete funding opportunities to strengthen the entire semiconductor value chain.
It also leverages European strengths, such as the cutting-edge research and piloting conducted at IMEC, which attracts investors seeking to test and refine their innovations before mass production.
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Collaboration is another key aspect emphasized during the visit. Belgium’s solid network spans across the European Union and extends globally.
In addition to that, collaborations with partners in countries such as Spain, Romania, Ireland, and Finland are actively nurtured, fostering growth and attracting trusted global players to the European chips ecosystem.
The geopolitical context was also highlighted, emphasizing the vital role of chips in the green and digital transitions and their significance for economies worldwide.
To reduce dependency on a limited number of suppliers from East Asia, efforts are underway to de-risk supply chains for chips and promote their design, testing, and production within Europe.
The Chips Act is hailed as a game changer in achieving these objectives, and innovation champions like IMEC are recognized as essential assets for economic security.
