Imec - a world-leading R&D center in advanced semiconductor technologies - today inaugurated a 2,000 m² cleanroom expansion at its Leuven headquarters, marking a pivotal milestone in the deployment of Europe's NanoIC pilot line. The event was attended by European EVP Henna Virkkunen, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, and ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet, alongside representatives from the European high-tech ecosystem - including industry and startups - the NanoIC pilot line consortium, and policymakers from the EU, Belgium, and Flanders. With a capacity of over 12,000 m², imec's cleanroom plays a crucial role in the European Chips Act's ambitions to position Europe at the forefront of next-generation semiconductor innovation and manufacturing; a strategy that will be instrumental in reinforcing the continent's industrial fabric in the AI era, while safeguarding a climate of sustained economic growth, security, and prosperity for decades to come.

"Since announcing in May 2024 that imec would host the NanoIC pilot line, we've moved at full speed - accelerating tool acquisition and launching a comprehensive recruitment program. Today, that effort culminates in the inauguration of a 2,000 m² cleanroom extension at the imec premises. It will house a best-in-class toolset, including ASML's next-generation High NA EUV scanner that is scheduled to arrive mid-March," said Luc Van den hove, CEO of imec.