Imec has inaugurated a 2,000 m² cleanroom expansion at its Leuven headquarters, marking a pivotal milestone in Europe's semiconductor ambitions. The NanoIC pilot line, backed by the European Chips Act, will accelerate innovation in sub-2nm Systems-On-Chip technology. The expansion brings imec's total cleanroom capacity to over 12,000 m², positioning Europe to compete in next-generation chip manufacturing.

European Commission EVP Henna Virkkunen, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet attended the inauguration alongside industry leaders and policymakers. The facility will house cutting-edge equipment including ASML's next-generation High NA EUV scanner, scheduled to arrive in mid-March. This investment represents Europe's strategic push for technological independence in the AI era.

Over the next five years, the NanoIC pilot line will integrate more than 100 new tools across imec and partner sites in France, Germany, Finland, Romania, and Ireland. The initiative brings together researchers, IDMs, foundries, equipment suppliers, and universities to push semiconductor technologies beyond the 2nm node. This collaborative approach aims to strengthen Europe's industrial fabric while ensuring economic growth, security, and prosperity for decades to come.