CHIPS JU Launch Event: a new milestone in the world of Semiconductors
On November 30-December 1st, most of the European semiconductor world was gathered in Brussels for the Chips JU Launch Event. During the presentations and Panel Discussions , industry leaders, policymakers, members of the European commission and experts explored the pivotal role of semiconductor technology in ensuring Europe’s strategic autonomy and economic security.
The ICOS members could meet in real and have fruitful discussions on the project, discussing current analysis and upcoming approaches for new collaborations.
From our side, Francis Balestra, ICOS coordinator, had the opportunity to participate in a roundtable on Challenges and future directions for Chips JU R&I programme in order to scale up the strategic level with Lucilla Sioli, from the European Commission. He could introduce the ICOS ambitions, goals and insist on the importance of international cooperation on semiconductors, as mentioned in earlier talks by other key actors.
During his intervention, Francis Balestra mentioned the needs to strengthen the cooperation between Academia, RTO and Industry to cover the entire innovation landscape and to efficiently transfer disruptive innovations to companies and startups.
He then put emphasis on the importance of European and International Roadmaps to identify challenges and possible promising technologies. The analysis of the whole value chain, with its strengths and gaps at the EU and international levels, taking into account the sustainability of technologies, was also considered as a key element to support the growth of the European semiconductor industry.
Of course, one of the biggest highlights of the event was the speech of Mr. Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market. The man at the origin of the EU Chips Act announced the launch of new Pilot Lines and underlined the importance of the Design Platforms and Competences centers, thus marking the European history of semiconductors with a new milestone.
Surely this will have a very strong impact on the European chips production in the future and also help to resolve the skills shortage. Speeding innovation, developing new leadership in emerging technologies and green tech, as well as developing the global value chain are crucial actions to improve European sovereignty in the field of semiconductors. But this can’t be done without international cooperation.
