EU Invests €700 Million in Newly Opened NanoIC,
Europe’s Largest Chips Act Pilot Line
Published February 2026
The European Union has officially launched the NanoIC pilot line, marking the largest
semiconductor facility developed under the European Chips Act. NanoIC has received €2.5 billion
in total investment, including €700 million from EU funds and €700 million from national and
regional governments, with the remainder provided by industry partners such as ASML.
Located at imec’s research campus in Leuven, Belgium, NanoIC aims to accelerate next-generation
semiconductor technologies. These include advanced chips for artificial intelligence infrastructure,
autonomous vehicles, healthcare innovation, and future 6G communication systems.
Unlike a conventional mass-production fabrication plant, NanoIC operates as a pilot and research
platform. Companies, laboratories, and startups can test semiconductor designs and manufacturing
processes at near-industrial scale before committing to full commercial production.
The facility deploys cutting-edge Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, enabling chip
development beyond the two-nanometer node. This strengthens Europe’s advanced manufacturing
capabilities amid global competition.
European officials emphasized that NanoIC enhances technological sovereignty and cross-border
collaboration. The semiconductor sector is projected to approach one trillion US dollars in global
annual revenue by 2026, driven primarily by artificial intelligence and data-centric technologies.