Brussels, 7 November 2024 - The Public Authorities Board (PAB) of the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) has selected the consortium with which to start negotiations to establish the Advanced Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) Pilot Line for Europe - PIXEurope. This Pilot Line will be jointly funded by the European Union, through the Horizon Europe and Digital Europe Programmes, Participating States, and private organisations.

The PIXEurope Pilot Line will bring together Europe’s top research organisations to set up the world’s first Open Access PIC ecosystem. It will use state-of-the-art equipment to develop innovative PIC technologies and processes, including design, chip fabrication and hybrid integration, through to packaging, test and reliability technologies.

Jari Kinaret, Chips JU Executive Director, emphasised the importance of this Pilot Line: “This selection is an important step for the semiconductor industry and Europe’s capacity in the production of photonic integrated circuits. We are looking forward to the negotiations with the selected consortium.”

Coordinated by the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), the 20-member consortium includes participants from Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Portugal, Poland, Austria, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.

In April, the Chips JU had already announced the selection of four pilot lines to be implemented in Europe. Now, the PIC Pilot Line becomes the fifth to enter negotiations, in a key effort to strengthen capacity building and innovation in Europe. Aligned with the objectives of the Chips for Europe Initiative, this Pilot Line is expected to closely collaborate with the other Chips JU Pilot Lines (1, 2, 3 & 4), Design Platform and Competence Centres.

The Chips JU will proceed with the negotiations with the consortium to finalise the Hosting Agreements, Joint Procurement Agreements, and the related Grant Agreements. 

About Chips Joint Undertaking:

Chips Joint Undertaking supports research, development, innovation, and capacity building in the European semiconductor ecosystem. Launched by the European Union Council Regulation No 2021/1085 and amended in September 2023 via Council Regulation 2023/1782, it contributes to reinforce the competitiveness and resilience of the semiconductor technological and industrial base, engaging a significant EU, national/regional and private industry funding of nearly €11 billion. The Chips JU is funded by the European Union, Chips JU Participating States and the Private Members.

Media Contacts:
Chips Joint Undertaking 
communication@chips-ju.europa.eu
Luciano.Gaudio@chips-ju.europa.eu