Nanotech leader imec to get boost from Flanders and EU

Forty years after the successful technology fair Flanders Technology and the founding of imec that followed, the strategic research center is about take another giant leap. On 7 July 2023, Flanders’ Minister-President Jan Jambon signed a declaration of intent to invest up to EUR 750 million in imec – in addition to ongoing subsidies and support.

The government of Flanders is co-investing in a state-of-the-art cleanroom, a shock-proof and dust-free area where tiny computer chips can be tested. A new infrastructure company, in which Flanders’ government invests, will be tasked to build this cleanroom. Through rent, imec will afterwards pay back the investment.

Meanwhile, imec is also anticipating a subsidy of up to EUR 750 million from the European Commission. Every euro invested by the EU will be matched by the government of Flanders. In total, up to EUR 1.5 billion could be channeled into the strategic research center.

In addition to Europe and Flanders, the semiconductor industry is also rallying behind the new cleanroom. Chip companies such ASML stand ready to make hundreds of millions of euros worth of equipment available. This means that, in the most optimistic scenario, another EUR 750 million would thus flow toward imec.

Today, imec is the world leader in the development of the smallest and most powerful semiconductors. The research center does this in partnership with and for top companies from all over the world. The fresh funds should allow imec to further expand its status and play a role in Europe’s chip ambitions.

This is a strategic investment for both Flanders and Europe. ”Imec is the crown jewel of Flanders’ innovation landscape,” Jambon confirms. “Their high-tech chips hold major strategic importance. Now that we are facing the great breakthrough of artificial intelligence, imec must and can play a pioneering role in this domain as well.”