Member states are set to approve an expanded-scope EU Chips Act on 18 April. The 43-billion-euro act announced last year initially focused on leading-edge semiconductors but has been extended to cover the whole value chain, including mature chips and R&D, insiders told Reuters. The legislation aims to increase Europe’s market share in chip manufacturing to 20 percent, up from 10ish percent currently.
Anticipating the adoption of the revised act, multiple companies have already announced fab expansions or greenfield fab construction projects. Intel intends to build a 20+-billion-euro leading-edge facility in Germany’s Magdeburg, although these plans are currently on hold. STMicroelectronics and Globalfoundries are teaming up for a 6.7-billion-euro FDSOI fab in France, Infineon plows 5 billion euros into expanding power semiconductor manufacturing and Bosch invests 3 billion euros in automotive semiconductor supply. TSMC is reportedly close to starting a trailing-edge facility in Germany as well.
Lawmakers proved amenable to adding support for innovation in nanoelectronics and digital technologies given Imec’s unique position in the global high-tech network, the report says.