Chips from Finland – Finland is strengthening its position in European chip technology development
Petri Räsänen, Programme Director of Business Tampere’s chip technology programme, and Jenny Hasu from VTT, who visited Brussels, actively met with representatives of different political groups, officials, key stakeholders and companies in relation to chip technology development. The aim is to continue close cooperation at both national and European level to ensure that Finland can continue to be a major player in the field of chip technology. The main topics of discussion during the visit were the future of chip policy in Europe and the development of chip technology and business.
Finland in an excellent position to implement the EU Chips Act
Finland is in a strong position and is ready to meet the challenges of the future together with other European players. Finland has taken significant steps in the development of chip technology and related business, with the aim of acting as a united team both at national and European level. The aim is to build a strong national entity that will support Finland’s position as a global technology leader.
Finland is in an excellent position to implement the EU Chips Act, the European Union‘s chip policy. Finland plays an important role in the European core network that develops chip technology and promotes related business. Finland is involved in four pilot lines funded by the EU Commission, where the funding counterpart is Business Finland.
Several chip technology programmes are underway in Finland. The Tampere chip programme, Business Finland’s chip campaign and the chip financing programme to be launched at the beginning of 2025 offer a wide range of opportunities for Finnish companies. National measures support pan-European projects, and together they provide comprehensive support and opportunities for Finnish operators.
Tampere and Pirkanmaa in particular will play a key role in the development of chip technology. Companies in the region will have excellent access to chip technology and know-how at European level. The message to businesses is to consider how they can make full use of chip technology in their own business.
Finland’s investment in pilot lines and a centre of excellence
In early 2025, several major European partnerships will be launched, including chip technology pilot lines, a design platform and a chip centre of excellence, through the Chip Joint Undertaking. The SJU is a European tripartite partnership to promote the development and deployment of technologies and systems manufactured in Europe. Preparatory work on these has been carried out over the past year and Finland has managed to complete its national plans without delay. This has also been praised by the EU, and Finland’s effective implementation has been seen as a model for Europe.
In Finland, the situation has been seen as positive, and the solutions offered by the country’s chip technology have attracted interest at EU level. Although the EU has set a target of 20% market share of global chip technology, it is clear that significant results can be achieved in ways other than market share.
Long-term measures needed
Long-term measures to develop chip technology are essential and funding will be needed beyond the current funding period. The future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) must provide the tools and resources to drive development forward more vigorously. Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness, Ursula von der Leyen’s policy guidelines and the Commissioners’ guidance letters provide a good basis for planning, as they also take into account the importance of chip technology. It has been seen as particularly positive that the Finnish Commissioner-designate Henna Virkkunen would be responsible for a portfolio that would also include topics related to the development of chip technology.
Expectations are high that the future financial framework will adequately recognise the importance of the technology and industry sector. Dual-use technology is a key theme, and the chip technology being developed in Tampere is likely to be dual-use, especially for security-enhancing chips.
Read more about the Chips from Tampere programme.
FiCCC is Finland’s centre of chip excellence