April 23, 2026 -
Imec has announced the launch of SPINS (Semiconductor Pilot line for Industrial Quantum NanoSystems), a strategic initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial manufacturing for quantum processors. The €50 million project, co-funded by the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and participating member states, is one of six specialized pilot lines established under the EU Chips Act. The consortium includes 25 partners across Europe, including Fraunhofer IPMS, VTT, CEA-Leti, Infineon, and STMicroelectronics.
The SPINS project focuses on the development of semiconductor-based spin qubits, leveraging existing CMOS manufacturing expertise to scale toward fault-tolerant quantum systems. The initiative is currently prioritizing three technology platforms: Si/SiGe, Ge/GeSi, and SOI (Silicon-on-Insulator). By establishing a “lab-to-fab” pathway, SPINS intends to provide standardized Quantum Process Design Kits (PDKs) and Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) runs, allowing startups and SMEs to validate designs on industrial-grade 300mm infrastructure.