Access to European pilot lines and the Chips Design Platform
The European pilot lines and the Chips Design Platform together form the heart of innovation under the European Chips Act
They bring together research, design, testing, and production, helping organizations innovate faster within a safe European ecosystem.
The ChipNL Competence Centre (ChipNL CC) supports Dutch companies, knowledge institutions, and start-ups in finding the right European infrastructure.
We guide parties that want to validate their technology, prototype, or scale from chip design to advanced packaging.
By creating access to these facilities, we strengthen the collaboration between the Netherlands and Europe, making innovation tangible.
What are European Pilot Lines
Pilot Lines are open European test and development facilities where companies and knowledge institutions can develop, validate, and scale new semiconductor technologies towards industrial production.
They shorten the step from research to market application by providing access to infrastructure, expertise, and production environments.
Each pilot line has its own specialization and together they form the technical foundation of the European Chips Act.
APECS Pilot Line
APECS focuses on the development of innovative packaging and integration techniques, bringing together multiple chip functions into one system. This pilot line accelerates the transition from individual components to compact, powerful integrated solutions for AI, 5G, and medical applications.
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FAMES Pilot Line
FAMES develops processes for FD-SOI (Fully Depleted Silicon-On-Insulator) nodes, suitable for low-power electronics, RF communication, and sensor technology. The facilities provide design and testing capabilities for companies developing new applications in IoT, automotive, and mobile communication.
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NanoIC Pilot Line
NanoIC focuses on the development of advanced chip architectures, including 2 nm System-on-Chip, 3D integration, and edge devices. This pilot line supports companies and research institutions working on the next generation of logic chips and energy-efficient applications.
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PIXEurope Pilot Line
PIXEurope focuses on photonic and quantum chips that use light for data communication, sensors, and computations. The facilities provide access to design, manufacturing, and characterization of photonic circuits, a key technology for the next generation of high-speed connections and sensors.
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WBG Pilot Line
WBG supports research and production around Wide Band Gap materials such as SiC, GaN, and AlN. This technology enables energy-efficient power electronics, essential for sustainable mobility, green energy, and industrial applications.
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The European Chips Design Platform. Collaboration and expertise for chip design in Europe
The European Chips Design Platform (EuroCDP) is an initiative within the European Chips Act, coordinated by imec and supported by the European Commission.
The collaborative hub connects public and private entities as designers, companies, and knowledge institutions through a shared European infrastructure for chip design.
Users receive through EuroCDP:
• Access to EDA tools, IP libraries, and Process Design Kits (PDKs);
• ·Support from Design Enablement Teams (DETs) that provide guidance on design and validation
• Connection to European Pilot Lines for manufacturing and packaging.
ChipNL CC serves as the national coordination and referral point for Dutch organizations wishing to participate in this European ecosystem.
We help companies, knowledge institutions, and start-ups find the right partners, contact points, and pathways within EuroCDP.
Do you want to learn more about the European Chips Design Platform and how your organization can participate?
ChipNL CC connects Dutch companies, knowledge institutions and policymakers with the European Pilot Lines and the Design Platform
We provide an overview in a complex landscape, make the right connections and ensure that organizations gain access to relevant expertise and partners.
Our role consists of:
• Providing direction for collaboration between Dutch and European development partners;
• Guiding applications for access to Pilot Lines or the Design Platform;
• Promoting knowledge sharing and international visibility of Dutch innovations.
This ensures that good ideas grow faster into European innovations with impact.
Working together on innovation power for the Netherlands and Europe
The Pilot Lines and the Design Platform accelerate the development of new technologies and strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy.
For the Netherlands, they represent a unique opportunity to valorize knowledge and innovation and to position the semiconductor sector internationally.
Together with our partners, we ensure that the Netherlands not only contributes to the European semiconductor industry, but also excels within it.
Building the future of the semiconductor industry together
Do you want to know more about access to the European Pilot Lines or the Chips Design Platform