The Spanish government, together with the regional government of Andalusia, and imec have agreed to establish a specialized chip technology pilot line in Malaga (Andalusia). Particularly, the new innovation facility intends to complement imec’s existing 300mm advanced CMOS process line in Leuven, Belgium.

New 300mm process developments and the introduction of new materials have been difficult to combine today with standard CMOS processes. Thus, the new facility aims to answer the industry’s need for R&D and prototyping. Moreover, it will pave the road to the manufacturing of promising, new technologies.

State-of-the-Art R&D

The facility aims to leverage the unique advantages of leading-edge 300mm semiconductor process technology. Particularly, in driving new applications in health care, life sciences, photonics, augmented and virtual reality, and precision sensing. Most importantly, it will complement the existing expertise and infrastructure in imec’s Leuven headquarters. That is, focusing on non-standard processes that are currently incompatible with semiconductor manufacturing processes. Thus, the two sites’ role and functions will be complementary.

The negotiations will now start with an eye to finding a strong public-private cooperation model, between imec, the Spanish government and the government of Andalusia. The governments already agree to support the construction of the new facility including the advanced equipment. Moreover, they have also formulated the intention to financially support the pilot line’s operations in a sustainable, long-term manner. Thus, benefitting its growing semiconductor ecosystem.

Imec intends to manage the operations, provide the required knowledge and technology, and guarantee access to its global academic and industrial partner network.

Harnesses Cross-Border Expertise

This MoU emphasizes the partners’ ambition to collaborate on a pan-European scale to contribute to the Spanish semiconductor ecosystem. Moreover, it builds on local strengths, yet leverages cross-border expertise and capabilities to address global societal challenges, while supporting regional economic ambitions. By establishing this new facility, which is closely connected to imec’s Leuven-based 300mm pilot line, the goal is to fully harness the innovation potential in Spain and Andalusia.

-15 March 2024-