Sharper choices needed in the Dutch chip industry

The global dependence on a small number of players in the semiconductor industry highlights the need for a strong European and Dutch chip sector. The Netherlands already holds a solid position with global leaders such as ASML and a vibrant ecosystem of innovative deep tech startups and scale-ups.

Focus for Future Growth

According to the Deep Tech Fund of Invest-NL, now is the time to make sharp choices based on international technology developments and the strength of the Dutch ecosystem. Together with nine other EU countries within the European Semicon Coalition, efforts are being made to strengthen the European chip industry.

To ensure the technological leadership of the Netherlands in the field of semiconductors, focus is needed on three strategic technology areas: advanced packaging, metrology & inspection, and new IC architectures based on chiplets. Advanced chip packaging efficiently integrates chiplets, leading to better performance and lower costs. Metrology & inspection ensure the quality and reliability of semiconductor products through precise measurements and defect detection. New IC architectures based on chiplets offer flexibility and scalability, enabling innovative and energy-efficient solutions. This focus strengthens the financing of new businesses and the earning capacity of the Netherlands within Europe. Investments from larger European funds are needed to support the scaling phase of deep tech startups.

Investment and Collaboration

By providing risk-bearing capital to high-potential companies and working closely with public and private stakeholders in the ecosystem, Invest-NL is helping to turn deep tech innovations into reality. In addition to capital, collaboration is essential. Two weeks ago, TNO, Techleap, and Invest-NL announced an alliance to jointly promote technology development, entrepreneurship, and scaling.

TNO Semicon Event

The report is being formally presented today to Serpil Tascioglu, Director of Top Sectors & Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, during the TNO Semicon Event at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. The event brings together around 300 key decisionmakers, engineers, and policymakers from the semiconductor industry and knowledge institutions. Speakers include representatives from ASML, Intel, Nearfield Instruments, the European Commission, Brainport Eindhoven, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.