Now, ESIA calls out for Chips Act 2.0!

ESIA, Europe's main semiconductor association, called on the European Union to speed up aid to manufacturers, reformulating the "Chips Act" support program and appointing a representative to defend the sector.

The “version 2.0” of European semiconductor policy under the new European Commission should present fewer restrictions on exports, be focused on points where EU companies already have advantages and provide aid more quickly, argues ESIA in a joint statement, cited by Reuters.

Representing manufacturers such as Infineon, STMicroelectronics and NXP, as well as imec, Fraunhofer and CEA-Leti, ESIA asks the European Commission to immediately launch an "immediate Chips Act 2.0".

Launched in April 2023 and coming into force the following September, the EU Chips Act aims to boost the semiconductor sector, increasing Europe's share of the global chip market from 10% to 20% by 2030.

The European program led to the adoption of a national strategy for semiconductors by the previous Government, which established the objectives and strategic axes to promote the growth of the sector in the country.

With the aim of contributing to the “development of innovative and competitive technologies in the international market”, in Portugal, the plan defined three axes of action: reinforcement of specialized training and specific skills in the area of ​​microelectronics and semiconductors, expansion of the national chip design and advanced encapsulation ecosystem, and increased technology transfer in emerging areas, promoting a "lab-to-factory" approach.