EC looks to re-energise Europe’s electronics industry
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In a seven year partnership designed to cover the whole electronics value and innovation chain, the European Commission is hoping to invest up to €100billion in an attempt to make Europe more competitive in the global market. The money is likely to come from private, regional, national and EU funds.
European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes, pictured, said: "Others are aggressively investing in computer chips and Europe cannot be left behind. We have to reinforce and connect our existing strongholds and develop new strengths. A rapid and strong coordination of public investment at EU, Member State and regional level is needed to ensure that transformation."
The strategy calls for Europe to double its output to 20% of global production. Kroes added: "I want Europe to produce more chips in Europe than the United States produces domestically. It's a realistic goal if we channel our investments properly."
Included in the strategy are: more money for R&D and more coordination of research; and a reinforcement of the clusters in Dresden, Eindhoven and Grenoble and a strengthening of connections with areas such as Cambridge, Carinthia, Dublin and Milan.
According to the EC, there will be three complementary strands to the plan: producing chips more economically, including a transition to 450mm wafers; 'More Moore'; and 'More than Moore'.
Initially €10bn will be raised to support a common set of research and innovation goals, including €5bn through a public/private partnership.
