Laurent Wauquiez, President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, announced on November 12, during a meeting with the main stakeholders in the nanotechnology sector, including ST Microelectronics, Soitec, Sofradir, Minalogic and CEA-LETI, initial support of €35 million from the Region for the Nano 2022 Plan. A call was also issued to local authorities. Submitted on November 30 for approval to the European Commission, the integrated project jointly notified by France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in support of research and innovation in the field of microelectronics was officially announced on December 18 as compliant with EU state aid rules. It contributes to achieving a common European interest.
Five targeted technology areas
This Europe-wide project aims to promote research and development in several Member States, for applications in the automotive sector (connected or autonomous vehicles), embedded artificial intelligence, connected objects, aerospace and defence, domestic, commercial and industrial appliances, etc. Project participants will focus on five technology areas: chips with improved energy efficiency, power semiconductors, smart sensors, advanced optical equipment, and materials for compound semiconductors.
The nanotechnology industry is a bet on the future and an essential investment for France, and for good reason. This sector is a source of innovation in a wide variety of fields of activity, but it is also a decisive issue of economic sovereignty, in a context where the United States and Asian countries are emerging as innovation giants. This is why France requested authorisation to provide funding of up to €355 million from a budget of €1.75 billion allocated by the four Member States to this project, which should generate €6 billion in private investment and is scheduled to end in 2024.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region is leading the way
As one of the few European regions with the prerequisites and strengths to position itself as a global leader in innovation, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is strongly committed to the Nano 2022 Plan, which should enable the region to stay ahead of other countries while improving its position in other areas, notably the nanotechnology sector.
The latter accounts for nearly 22,500 jobs at regional level. This is expected to be strengthened thanks to the Nano 2022 Plan. At the forefront of funding from the State and local authorities, it is intended to create and maintain 3,000 direct jobs and 8,000 indirect jobs.
This momentum bodes well for our students, who will be able to seize the many career opportunities that will be available to them in the fields of innovation, research and development in nanotechnologies. Our training offer is fully aligned with France’s strategy in this area!
