Europe is on the brink of a significant transformation in the semiconductor industry, a change that’s been set in motion by the European Commission’s decision to approve up to €8.1 billion of public support for an Important Project of Common European Interest in microelectronics and communication technologies.
This initiative, known as IPCEI ME/CT represents a collective endeavor by fourteen Member States to propel research, innovation, and the industrial deployment of advanced microelectronics and communication technologies. The public investment is expected to unlock an additional €13.7 billion in private investments, signifying a strong commitment to the sector’s growth and sustainability.
The IPCEI ME/CT is not just about funding – it’s a strategic investment aimed at accelerating Europe’s digital and green transformation. Covering the entire value chain, from materials and tools to chip designs and manufacturing processes, the project’s objectives are ambitious: to develop microelectronics and communication solutions that exceed what the market currently offers, thus enabling significant advancements in sectors such as 5G and 6G communications, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.
On a way to a new tech age, we are proud to emerge as part of the IPCEI ecosystem. Black Semiconductor specializes in developing high throughput, low latency photonic chip networks, realized with graphene technology. Our tech focuses on delivering high-performance and energy-efficient chip-to-chip connectivity, which is a critical solution for the next generation of computing and data processing.
Our involvement in the IPCEI ME/CT underscores the European Commission’s recognition of the potential our technology hold for the future of the semiconductor industry. Black Semiconductor’s innovative approach aligns with the EU’s objectives to foster a more secure, resilient, and technologically sovereign economy. By leveraging the unique properties of graphene, we aim to revolutionize chip connectivity, making systems faster, more efficient, and capable of handling the increasing demands of modern technology.
The expected impact of the whole IPCEI ME/CT including all beneficiaries is not just technological but also economic, with the creation of approximately 8,700 direct jobs and many more indirect ones. The initiative promises to introduce innovative products to the market as early as 2025, with the overall project completion planned for 2032. This timeline reflects the scale and ambition of the endeavor, which is set to make a lasting impression on the industry.
The funding will enable us to scale our operations, growing our team from 30 to 120 employees within the next two years. On the technological side, the investment will facilitate the construction of a pilot line fabrication facility in Aachen, Germany. This facility will be instrumental in demonstrating the integration of graphene in semiconductor technologies, while contributing to the region’s economic development.
This project complements the first IPCEI for microelectronics approved in 2018 and is a testament to the European Commission’s commitment to supporting new technologies. The Commission’s rigorous assessment under EU State aid rules ensures that the IPCEI ME/CT aligns with the goals of a more digital and green Europe, as envisioned in key policy initiatives like Europe’s Digital Decade and the European Green Deal.
The IPCEI ME/CT involves a diverse group of 56 companies, including SMEs and startups like Black Semiconductor, which will carry out 68 ambitious projects. This ecosystem is supported by extensive cross-border collaborations and a network of indirect partners, ensuring a broad dissemination of knowledge and positive spillover effects across Europe.
The European Commission’s investment in the IPCEI ME/CT, and by extension in companies like Black Semiconductor, marks the start of a new prioritization for the European semiconductor industry.
We use graphene as enabler to create ultra-fast, energy-efficient, and scalable chip fabrics by connecting thousands of chips so they can interact as if they were one.
Black Semiconductor GmbH
Schloss-Rahe-Strasse 15
52072 Aachen
Germany
