On Tuesday 18 December, the European Commission approved a joint German, British, French and Italian measure to support research and innovation in microelectronics worth up to €1.75 billion.
The objective of this aid is to generate an additional €6 billion in private investment for a project that is expected to be completed by 2024.
"I very much welcome the initiative of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom to join forces. And I’m looking forward to seeing the results that will benefit the entire European economy and therefore also European citizens and consumers", Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said at a press conference.
This measure was notified to the Commission by the various countries concerned on 30 November last, in the form of an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI). Within the framework of this project, 29 European or non-European actors must be involved to implement 40 closely interconnected sub-projects.
Through this set of sub-projects, four States wish to promote research and innovation in microelectronics and, more particularly, the development of certain technologies or components that can be attached to applications. The Internet of Things and connected or driverless cars are specifically targeted. Five research areas have been identified, namely energy-efficient chips, power semiconductors, smart sensors, advanced optical equipment and compound materials.
The Commission examined this measure in the light of the 2014 Communication on IPCEI, which allows Member States to encourage innovation in the event of market failures to do so. Five conditions must be met for a measure to receive a green light from the institution, including contributing to the achievement of EU strategic objectives, involving several Member States or being very ambitious in terms of research and innovation.
Considering that the five conditions were met in this case, the Commission validated this measure, which will create the first integrated IPCEI in the field of research, development and innovation authorised by the institution. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)