Semiconductors are among the most strategically important technologies of the modern economy. Often referred to simply as “chips,” they are the building blocks of virtually every electronic product, from smartphones and computers to cars, medical devices, telecommunications infrastructure, industrial machinery and defence systems.The importance of semiconductors became particularly clear during the global chip shortage of 2020–2021. Disruptions to international supply chains led to shortages of products ranging from cars to medical equipment and, in some cases, forced factories to temporarily halt production. The crisis exposed Europe’s dependence on a highly concentrated global semiconductor supply chain and accelerated calls for greater technological autonomy. Against this backdrop, the European Union adopted the European Chips Act, which entered into force on 21 September 2023. The legislation forms part of a broader European strategy to strengthen the continent’s semiconductor ecosystem, from research and design to manufacturing, advanced packaging and industrial-scale production. Now, as the EU looks at the next stage of its semiconductor strategy, the discussion is shifting from simply responding to shortages towards building a more resilient and competitive European semiconductor industry.

Greece and the European semiconductor strategy

A significant development was the establishment of the Hellenic Chips Competence Centre (HCCC), following a strategic partnership between all the important academic and industrial stakeholders in Greece including NCSR Demokritos  and the Greek Ministry of Development, with support from the European Chips Joint Undertaking under the “Chips for Europe” initiative. The HCCC began operations in 2025 and forms part of a network of semiconductor competence centres established across Europe. Its role is to connect companies, researchers and academic institutions and help strengthen Greece’s capabilities in semiconductor technologies. For Greece, the initiative represents an opportunity to participate more actively in a sector that is increasingly central to Europe’s industrial and technological strategy. Among other research organisations, industry partners and other stakeholders involved in Greece’s semiconductor ecosystem, NCSR Demokritos is a strategic partner of the Hellenic Chips Competence Centre (HCCC).

Consultation opens debate on the future of Europe’s semiconductor policy

As the European Union moves towards the next phase of its semiconductor strategy, consultations with industry, research organisations and other stakeholders are becoming an important part of the policy process. The European Commission has opened a public consultation on “Partnerships to be implemented as Joint Undertakings”, as part of its evaluation of the Horizon Europe partnership framework. The consultation is particularly relevant to the future development of the European semiconductor ecosystem and the role of the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU). The consultation comes at a significant moment for European semiconductor policy. Following the experience of the first European Chips Act, the Commission is now seeking to strengthen the mechanisms through which European research, innovation and industrial investment are translated into technological and manufacturing capabilities.

What is an EU public consultation?

Public consultations are one of the ways in which citizens, businesses, researchers, industry organisations and other stakeholders can contribute to EU policymaking. For the semiconductor sector, these consultations provide an opportunity for companies, universities, research organisations and industry associations to influence how future EU funding, research partnerships and regulatory frameworks are designed.

NCSR Demokritos Contribution:

NCSR Demokritos has prepared a contribution to the European Commission’s Chips Act 2.0 proposal, with nine key recommendations based on both European priorities and the specific needs and opportunities of the Greek research and innovation community. NCSR Demokritos nevertheless considers that several provisions could be further strengthened to:

• Better mobilise Europe’s distributed research and technology capabilities;
• Support the development and industrialisation of advanced materials, new manufacturing processes and specialty semiconductor technologies;
• Maintain a balanced portfolio of low- and medium-TRL research capable of generating new knowledge, process expertise and specialised talent for Europe’s semiconductor industry;
• Ensure the technological renewal of competence centres and research infrastructures;
• Establish transparent pathways from research to pilot-scale validation and industrial deployment;
• Reinforce the participation of independent scientific and technical expertise in European semiconductor governance;
• Provide appropriate financial support for recognised Strategic Projects and European Semiconductor Technology Initiatives; and
• Promote the coordinated development and validation of AI-driven methods for semiconductor materials, manufacturing processes, metrology and characterisation;
• Strengthen circularity, component reuse and sustainable semiconductor manufacturing.

You can find the full proposal here

More information on the European Chips Act