The European Union has launched NanoIC, a €2.5 billion pilot line for next-generation semiconductor technology at the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre in Leuven, Belgium, with Ireland's Tyndall National Institute participating as a partner institution, according to Silicon Republic.

NanoIC represents the largest pilot line in the EU Chips Act, receiving €700 million from EU funding, €700 million from national and regional governments, and remaining investment from ASML and industry partners. The facility accelerates development of semiconductor technology beyond two nanometres using state-of-the-art advanced extreme ultraviolet lithography machines.

The facility will be accessible to start-ups, researchers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large organisations. Partner institutions include Tyndall National Institute in Ireland, French research organisation CEA-Leti, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Germany, VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland and Romania's Center for Surface Science and Nanotechnology.

The EU Chips Act comprises five pilot lines—Fames, Apecs, WBG, PixEurope and NanoIC—representing combined EU and member state investment of €3.7 billion. The pilot lines form a key component of the Act, designed to bring chip technology from laboratory to fabrication stages.

The launch follows nearly four years after the Chips Act was first announced in 2022 and months after EU member states officially endorsed the Semiconductor Declaration, recognising the critical importance of semiconductors for EU competitiveness and resilience. The Declaration particularly aims to shape the upcoming European Chips Act revision, termed Chips Act 2.0.

Fames, a pilot line at CEA advancing ultra-low-power semiconductors in Europe, launched on 30 January. Tyndall National Institute announced an expansion package exceeding €100 million in January, planning to double its organisational footprint and strengthen Ireland's global position in semiconductor research and development.

Explore detailed information on NanoIC's capabilities and Ireland's semiconductor research role in the full article.