EU Chips Act 2.0: Can Europe Catch Up in the Semiconductor Race?

The EU Chips Act 2.0 aims to strengthen chip design, materials, and equipment to boost Europe’s semiconductor independence and global competitiveness.

Introduction

The EU Chips Act 2.0 is Europe’s latest move to strengthen its semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

While the original Chips Act (2023) focused on boosting chip manufacturing, this expanded version prioritizes chip design, materials, and manufacturing equipment.

With global competition rising, the EU is determined to secure its position in the semiconductor market and drive future technological innovation. Amid the Semicon Coalition, revision of the Chips Act can help EU succeed realize the Semiconductor dream.

Key Takeaways

Expanded Focus – Chips Act 2.0 goes beyond manufacturing to include design, materials, and equipment.

Reducing Dependency – The EU aims to lessen reliance on Asian and U.S. semiconductor suppliers.

Boosting Innovation – Increased funding will support AI, 5G, and automotive chip development.

Investment Opportunities – Growth in chip design firms, material suppliers, and semiconductor equipment makers.

Strengthening Europe’s Position – Aims to make the EU a global leader in advanced semiconductor technology.

techovedas.com/eu-chips-act-set-to-attract-over-e100-billion-in-private-investment-by-2030

Chips Act 2.0: A Broader Vision for Semiconductor Sovereignty

The EU Chips Act launched in 2023 to boost Europe’s semiconductor production. It set a goal to make 20% of the world’s chips by 2030. The plan aimed to reduce reliance on Asian suppliers by attracting investments in chip fabrication plants (fabs).

Despite progress, industry leaders saw gaps in the strategy. Europe needed more than just manufacturing to stay competitive.

In early 2025, ESIA and SEMI Europe pushed for Chips Act 2.0. This new plan expands the focus to chip design, materials, and equipment. The goal is to strengthen Europe’s entire semiconductor ecosystem. This revised version would focus on key areas beyond manufacturing, such as chip design, materials supply, and advanced equipment manufacturing.

The Case for a More Comprehensive Approach

The reason for expanding the Chips Act is clear: manufacturing alone is not enough for Europe to compete with global leaders like the U.S., China, and South Korea. The semiconductor industry is complex and requires advancements in several interconnected areas:

Chip Design: Europe must strengthen its ability to design innovative, high-performance chips for industries like 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and automotive technology. Leading-edge chip design is essential to maintaining technological competitiveness.

Materials: The raw materials required to produce semiconductors—such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride—are critical. Europe’s ability to secure and innovate in material supply chains will be a key factor in the success of its semiconductor strategy.

Manufacturing Equipment: The tools used to produce semiconductors, including photolithography machines and wafer processing equipment, are essential for the manufacturing process. With the expansion of chip fabs, demand for state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing equipment will rise, creating new opportunities in this space.

By addressing these areas, Chips Act 2.0 aims to build a more self-sufficient semiconductor ecosystem in Europe, ultimately reducing reliance on non-European suppliers and making Europe more competitive globally.

techovedas.com/semiconductor-manufacturing-equipment

Investment Opportunities in the Semiconductor Sector

The expansion of the Chips Act offers several exciting investment opportunities for those looking to get involved in Europe’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. Below are some of the most promising sectors to watch:

SectorInvestment Opportunities
Chip DesignWith the push for innovation in AI, 5G, and automotive technologies, companies focused on cutting-edge chip design will see increasing demand.
Material SuppliersThe need for specialized materials like gallium nitride and silicon carbide will grow as Europe seeks to secure its own supply chains. Investors can look at companies in the advanced materials space.
Semiconductor EquipmentCompanies producing semiconductor manufacturing equipment, such as lithography machines, will see significant demand as new chip fabs are built or upgraded.
Research and Development (R&D)Firms focused on R&D in semiconductors will be crucial to Europe’s success, providing significant growth potential for investors.

As Europe continues to invest in its semiconductor sector, companies that can play a role in research, design, or supply chains are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing market.

techovedas.com/investing-in-semiconductor-know-about-growth-projections-trends-and-key-stocks-to-watch

Global Competition and the Need for European Resilience

As the U.S. The CHIPS Act and China’s huge semiconductor investments are changing the global market. Europe risks falling behind if it doesn’t act fast.

The Chips Act 2.0 is Europe’s answer to this competition. It ensures Europe stays in the semiconductor race.

This new plan expands beyond manufacturing. It focuses on chip design, material innovation, and advanced equipment.

Europe aims to lead in next-generation semiconductor technologies.

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Conclusion: Investing in Europe’s Semiconductor Future

The Chips Act 2.0 presents a unique opportunity for investors to get in on the ground floor of Europe’s expanded semiconductor ecosystem.

With increased investment in design, materials, and manufacturing capabilities, the future of Europe’s semiconductor sector looks bright.

As the EU works to enhance its technological sovereignty, those who invest in the right sectors—such as chip design, materials innovation, and manufacturing equipment—could see substantial returns as the industry evolves.

In summary, Chips Act 2.0 is Europe’s strategic response to global competition, and it opens up a wealth of investment opportunities across the semiconductor value chain.

For those looking to tap into Europe’s technological growth, now is the time to pay attention.

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Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL).

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