The ChipNL Competence Centre (ChipNL CC) at the Noviotech Campus in Nijmegen has been officially launched. ChipNL CC is to be the national hub guiding organisations towards expertise, facilities, training, talent and funding. It should also act as the Dutch entry point to a European network of Chip Competence Centres.
The centre's focus is on technological areas in which the Netherlands is leading or in which our country has great opportunities. These include:
- machines for chip production (lithography, etching, metrology);
- chip design for various applications such as automotive and medical technology;
- Chip integration and packaging;
- photonics and quantum technology.
From accessing pilot lines to entering new markets
Among other things, the ChipNL CC focuses on facilitating access to European pilot lines for testing and validating chip solutions. In addition, parties can turn to the centre for the development and use of an innovative design platform. Talent programmes are also available to strengthen skills in the sector.
Start-ups and SMEs can also seek guidance on obtaining funding, as well as leveraging networks and partnerships. ChipNL CC also helps increase the international visibility of Dutch companies and open doors to new markets.
ChipNL CC involves several partners. These include Brainport Development, ChipTech Twente, High Tech NL, imec the Netherlands, JePPIX, Oost NL, TNO, BOM (Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij) and InnovationQuarter. Funding for the centre comes from the European Union (EU) and the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO).
Officially launched
The centre was officially launched on 29 October. More than 160 experts from industry, research and government came together. They discussed how the Netherlands and Europe can strengthen their position in chip design, heterogeneous integration and device innovation within the frameworks of the European Chips Act 2.0.
The European Chips Design Platform (EuroCDP) was also presented on the day. This is a shared European design environment that includes access to advanced EDA tools, intellectual property libraries and design flows. The platform should lower barriers for startup and SME designers and realise a European Design Enablement structure. The EuroCDP connects design activities with pilot lines and early prototyping.
'Shows how powerful our national ecosystem is'
"By connecting companies, knowledge institutions and regions, we create better access to talent, facilities and funding. This gives our chip sector the means to grow faster and structurally strengthen the Dutch economy. The ChipNL Competence Centre shows how powerful our national ecosystem is," said Vincent Karremans, Minister of Economic Affairs.
"Our goal is to strengthen the Dutch chip sector internationally while supporting companies from small to large in their development. The ChipNL Competence Centre is a place where expertise, entrepreneurship and innovation come together," says Elly Zwartkruis, managing director of the ChipNL CC.
Three strong regional hotspots
Recently, High Tech NL also mapped the geographical distribution of semiconductor activities. With this, it aims to support strategy development, cooperation and investment in the chip sector. The mapping reveals three strong regional hotspots:
- Brainport-Eindhoven: focusing on mechanical engineering, modules and services;
- Lifeport-Arnhem-Nijmegen: offers a mix of design, front- and back-end production and system integration;
- Enschede: with specialisations in chip design and R&D.
"It is impressive to see how complete the Dutch value chain is," says Eric-Mark Huitema, managing director High Tech NL. "We have all the building blocks - knowledge, production and innovation - but it is precisely the regional complementarity that makes the ecosystem strong."
