Quantum and Semiconductor Technologies are crucial for Europe’s and Germany’s economic resilience, security, and sovereignty. While the quantum industry is in its emerging phase and the semiconductor industry is well-established, both have a huge innovation potential and their technological and industrial advancement and thus their economic impact is closely linked. Due to the increasing geopolitical uncertainties and the fact that Europe lags behind in semiconductor production compared to Asia and the US, and has not won the quantum race, the Chips Joint Undertaking from the European Commission and the EU member state is essential to strengthen Europe’s and Germany’s capabilities in these sectors.
QBN strongly advises against any plans to reduce the government support for German stakeholders that would have extensive and severe consequences that we must avoid at all costs. Such a reduction would put immediate pressure to German companies, discourage investment in the quantum and chip space, shift activities abroad and hinder knowledge transfer between quantum and traditional semiconductor industries. This would suppress deeptech innovation, the competitiveness and increase dependence on foreign technologies, and thus strongly weaken Europe to compete in the global quantum and chip markets and ensure its economic and technological future.
Instead, QBN recommends increasing investment in the Chips Joint Undertaking and prioritizing the promotion of quantum technologies and specialized, advanced chips to strengthen Germany’s and Europe’s semiconductor and quantum technology industry and attract and retain talent in these fields.
Table of Content
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- The Importance of the Semiconductor Industry
- Quantum Technologies and the Semiconductor Industry
- Chips Joint Undertaking
- Concerns about decreased support from the BMBF for German quantum companies within the Chips JU
- The importance of the Chips JU for Germany’s and Europe’s Economies and their Quantum and Semiconductor Industries
- Impact of a reduction
- Impact on the Quantum Industry
- Impact on the Semiconductor Industry
- QBN recommends an impactful and long-term commitment
- About QBN
