Imec to build chip pilot line in Malaga
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez visited imec's nanotechnology research centre in the Belgian city of Leuven on Friday. Sánchez was given a tour of imec's clean room, where chip research is carried out. A similar infrastructure will be set up in Spain in the near future.
In March this year, imec, the Spanish government and the regional government of Andalusia signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of a new chip development infrastructure in Malaga. Sánchez visited Leuven on Friday to see what such a clean room looks like and what exactly happens there. Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo also took part in the visit.
"For Spain it means growth in the region, for imec it means strengthening our position as a leader in the global chip ecosystem"
"This is the first time that imec will build such a process line outside Belgium," said Luc Van den hove, CEO of imec. "The new facility will strengthen innovation in healthcare, photonics, augmented and virtual reality, among others. For Spain it means growth in the region, for imec it means strengthening our position as a leader in the global chip ecosystem."
Bridge from research to manufacturing
"It is an impressive research space," said Sánchez after his visit. "The construction of the new line in Malaga is a truly European project in one of the most strategic sectors. There is no doubt about the many opportunities it will bring to our country".
Imec is a global player in nanotechnology and chip development. In its clean room in Leuven, companies can test how to move from small-scale to mass production of chips. In this way, Imec acts as a bridge between laboratories and research centres on the one hand and production companies on the other.
Doubling production by 2030
The project is part of the implementation of the EU Chips Act, which aims to double chip production in Europe by 2030. The aim is to make Europe less dependent on the United States and Asian countries for its chip production.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, visited imec in July 2023 to underline the importance of the technology centre in achieving these goals. One way to increase production is to build new clean rooms in Europe.
In addition to Spain, Von der Leyen mentioned Germany and the Netherlands as possible countries where new process lines could be built. It is not yet clear where and when such infrastructure will be constructed.
#FlandersNewsService | Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez and Imec CEO Luc Van den hove during a visit to Imec's nanotechnology research centre in Leuven on 18 October 2024 © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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