BAM will build a new pilot plant on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven for the production of fast and energy-efficient photonic chips. The project is being commissioned by TNO and is intended to strengthen Europe's technological independence in chip production. Construction will start in early 2026.
The pilot plant is part of the European PIXEurope project and serves as a test environment to enable full-scale production of advanced photonic chips made of indium phosphide (InP) on a 6-inch wafer scale. Photonic chips use light to transmit data quickly and energy efficiently, improving data centre performance and enabling new generations of smart devices.
Accelerate development
PIXEurope is an ambitious Pilot Line initiative launched by the European Commission through the Chips Joint Undertaking to accelerate the development of photonic chip technology. It is an essential part of the future of high-speed computing, communications and quantum information systems, among others. The pilot aims to work on the design and creation of an optimised prototyping chain (covering design, manufacturing, integration, testing and reliability) to accelerate product development and scalable manufacturability.
Research and production of photonic chips
By combining research and production, innovative ideas can be turned into advanced, practical technologies, and that faster, more energy-efficient, reliable and at scale. The initiative strengthens Europe's position in high-tech manufacturing, stimulates economic growth and supports the EU's Chips for Europe initiative.
BAM expertise in high-tech construction
BAM is responsible for the construction of the factory including the so-called clean room facilities, contributing directly to the growth of the Dutch high-tech ecosystem. Peter Smeets, director of BAM Integrale Projecten Zuid: 'The building places special demands on climate control, vibration-free installations and so-called clean room technology. BAM has a lot of experience with this through previous projects in the high-tech sector. Thereby, with our expertise and focus on collaboration, sustainability and innovation, we can make a direct contribution to the technological progress of the Netherlands."
Integral construction
The project will be realised by BAM on an integrated basis, bringing together various areas of expertise. For example, the Interflow business unit is contributing its years of expertise in designing and building high-quality cleanrooms. This is essential for the production of photonic chips under extremely controlled conditions. BAM Industrie also provides specialist knowledge in the field of High Purity Systems, including ultrapure gas and liquid installations, which are indispensable for a stable and reliable chip production environment.
The new factory is financed through the EU Chips Act, PhotonDelta, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Defence and TNO, and is part of the European initiative PIXEurope.
Source and photo: BAM Nederland
