Dutch chip sector proposes €735M investment program to solidify position

The Dutch semicon industry has petitioned the government for a 420-million-euro innovation investment over seven years. Topped up with at least 315 million euros from companies, the funds will serve to further strengthen the Dutch position in semiconductors by boosting sustainability, efficiency and value creation in chip equipment manufacturing, chip design and packaging. Additionally, the program fosters sector-wide collaboration to reduce the use of materials and simplify recycling.

The proposal was drawn up by ChipNL, a consortium of 64 semiconductor companies and organizations including ASML, ASM, Besi, NXP and the technical universities. It was presented to Economic Affairs Minister Dirk Beljaarts on Wednesday. On the same day, the Semicon Board NL convened for the first time. This public-private consultation platform will draw up a sector agenda and discuss tasks, ambitions and investments needed for the Dutch semiconductor sector to keep pace with the rest of the world.

ChipNL aligns with existing national programs such as the National Technology Strategy, the TKI High-Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM), and the infrastructure- and talent-focused Project Beethoven.