The EU launches NanoIC in Belgium with 2.5 billion euros, bringing sub-2nm chip technology to Europe and accelerating its ambitions for semiconductor dominance over the US and China.

The European Union has officially launched NanoIC, the largest semiconductor pilot project under the Chips Act, located at the IMEC research center in Leuven, Belgium. With a total investment of €2.5 billion, this is not only a high-tech research facility but also a strategic statement by Europe in the global semiconductor race.

NanoIC marks a shift from political commitment to a practical technological infrastructure and could be the foundation for Europe's semiconductor sovereignty ambitions in the next decade.

NanoIC is the first facility in Europe to deploy the most advanced ultraviolet lithography (UVL) machine, enabling the development of chips below the two-nanometer threshold—a core foundation for artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, smart healthcare , and next-generation mobile technology. This places the EU in a technology segment currently dominated by the US and several Asian countries.

The joint investment by the European Commission, the Belgian government , and industrial partners shows that Europe is shifting from a technology consumer role to an ambition to dominate the semiconductor supply chain. Against the backdrop of accelerated US aid packages and strong Chinese investment aimed at technological self-reliance, NanoIC is seen as a crucial step for the EU to retain talent, attract investment, and reduce strategic dependence.

The center's open-access model allows startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations to test technology on a near-industrial scale before mass production. This is what sets Europe apart: leveraging its research strengths to bridge the gap between the lab and the factory.

Analysts believe that if pilot projects like NanoIC are implemented in conjunction with appropriate industrial and financial policies, Europe could strengthen its position in the global supply chain and compete more effectively with the US and China. However, significant challenges remain, ranging from investment costs and the speed of commercialization to geopolitical competition.

Source: VTV

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