Leti, Fraunhofer join forces on

The leaders of France's Leti and Germany's Fraunhofer Institute group have signed an agreement on collaboration in micro- and nanoelectronics. They did so while speaking of the need to strengthen European strategic and economic sovereignty.

By Peter Clarke, eeNews, Jun. 28, 2017 – 

The initial focus of the collaboration will be on CMOS and More-than-Moore processes and technologies for next-generation electronics components. The move demonstrates a coming together of France and Germany in the wake of increased global uncertainty after elections in the United States and the United Kingdom.

"Micro, nanoelectronics and smart systems are key enabling technologies for the economic success of Europe, especially in France and Germany. Thus, Europe can no longer afford to scatter its research competences," said Hubert Lakner, chairman of the microelectronics group of Fraunhofer. "The new cooperation agreement will be the starting point for a strategic research cooperation of the two countries in order to jointly support the upcoming EC initiative, Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), on micro- and nanoelectronics."

The second phase of the collaboration may be expanded with additional academic partners and other countries, as needed, Leti and Fraunhofer said.

The Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) is a European Unon policy instrument that facilitates state support for manufacturing, without breaching European competition laws - and by extension, arguably, World Trade Organization rules.

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