Semiconductor body calls for EU 'Chips Envoy', more support

Europe's main computer chip industry group ESIA called on the European Union on Monday to speed up aid, draw up a revamped "Chips Act 2.0" support package and name an envoy to champion the sector.

In a statement, the group said chip policy under the incoming EU Commission should feature fewer export restrictions, focus on areas where European companies already had advantages, and that aid should be awarded more quickly.

"A dedicated 'Chips Envoy' responsible for the overall industrial policy approach to semiconductors is a necessity," it said.

The group - which represents chipmakers Infineon, STMicroelectronics, NXP, top equipment maker ASML and research bodies imec, Fraunhofer and CEA-Leti - said the bloc should roll out an "immediate Chips Act 2.0".

The first EU Chips Act, rolled out in April 2023, was billed as a 43 billion euro subsidy plan aimed at boosting Europe's share of the global chip market to 20 per cent by 2030.

A recent critical review by German think-tank interface found that while Europe may not be on track to meet that goal set by Commission industry chief Thierry Breton, and has not had 15 per cent of the global market over the past 40 years, the first Chips Act did focus policymakers' attention on the industry.

Major projects under the first Chips Act included a 10 billion euro ($11 billion) plant that Taiwan's TSMC broke ground on last month in Dresden, and a 30 billion euro project planned by Intel in Magdeburg, Germany.

However amid Intel's business woes, the Magdeburg project has yet to win EU approval for aid and it has been delayed, raising questions as to whether it will be built.

On export policy, ESIA said that it acknowledges the need to protect technology and ensure security.

However, "a more positive approach to economic security is required which is based on support and incentives, rather than a defensive approach that relies on restrictive and protective measures," it said.

ASML has been barred from shipping the upper half of its product range to customers in China as the European Union and Netherlands aligned with US-led restrictions aimed at slowing Chinese technological and military advances.

Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof on Friday said his government will weigh ASML's economic interests when it further tightens rules restricting exports to China.