NXP Semiconductors N.V. said it is strengthening its European research and development (R&D) through grants. Particularly, via the 2^nd Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI ME/CT).

Moreover, dedicated NXP teams across Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania will innovate in core technologies. Namely, focusing across automotive, industrial, and cybersecurity. This includes 5nm, advanced driving assistance, and battery management systems in automotive, 6G, and Ultra-Wideband. Particularly, artificial intelligence (AI), RISC-V, and post-quantum cryptography.

“NXP’s planned investments in our Austrian, German, Dutch, and Romanian operations signal our strong commitment to the EU’s goal of enabling both digital and green transition,” said Kurt Sievers, President and CEO of NXP. In addition, Sievers said, “Our activities through IPCEI ME/CT complement NXP’s planned joint venture participation in TSMC’s first European foundry. It also underscores our commitment to strengthening innovation and supply chain resilience in Europe.”

R&D, Manufacturing Endeavors

Sievers said expanding research, development, and manufacturing efforts in Europe is of vital importance. Hence, there is a need to successfully integrate critical elements to achieve greater European semiconductor ecosystem resilience.

Extensive research, development, and manufacturing presence across multiple sites in all four countries enable NXP to develop cutting-edge technology. Add to this, products that contribute significantly to the achievement of EU industrial strategies. NXP will establish close collaboration with a strong ecosystem of more than 50 partners from industry and academia across Europe. Thus, the company will be able to strengthen key technologies of microelectronics in Europe.

No other microelectronics company taking part in IPCEI ME/CT is currently planning to invest in its operations across so many EU member states. NXP is also an active participant in three of the four IPCEI ME/CT workstreams. Namely, these workstreams are “Sense”, “Think”, and “Communicate”, reflecting NXP’s areas of leadership and strategic focus.

NXP’s planned investments in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania follow a recent announcement that involve other big chip companies. Particularly, in forming a new joint venture, European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC), with TSMC, Bosch, and Infineon. Furthermore, the plan also aims to establish TSMC’s first semiconductor manufacturing site in Europe.

The new 300mm fab, planned to be built in Dresden, Germany, is likely to have a monthly production capacity of 40,000 300mm (12-inch) wafers on TSMC’s 28/22 nanometer planar CMOS and 16/12 nanometer FinFET process technology, further strengthening Europe’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem with advanced FinFET transistor technology and creating about 2,000 direct high-tech professional jobs.