Two European R&D organizations, CEA-Leti and Imec, are separately spearheading a pair of new semiconductor pilot lines in Europe. The Imec-led pil

CEA-Leti, Imec launch chip pilot lines - Semiecosystem

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2024-06-30 16:00:04

Two European R&D organizations, CEA-Leti and Imec, are separately spearheading a pair of new semiconductor pilot lines in Europe. The Imec-led pilot line involves sub-2nm logic chip technologies. Both pilot lines enable European and international companies to conduct R&D and explore new technologies before they are introduced into mass production. Other chip programs are also in the works in the EU.

These initiatives are part of a new and ambitious program called the European Chips Act. Announced in 2022, the European Chips Act involves a $47 billion program to strengthen the EU’s semiconductor ecosystem. As part of the plan, the EU also hopes to boost Europe’s share of semiconductors from 8% in 2021 to 20% by 2030.

The United States and other nations have launched similar national chip programs—and for good reason. Semiconductors, or chips, are small and critical devices used to power a multitude of products, such as appliances, cars, industrial equipment, medical products, PCs and smartphones.

Basically, companies use specialized software tools to design a chip. Then, chips are put into production in large, expensive fabs. Each advanced fab can cost from $10 billion to $20 billion today.