On 24 September, at the headquarters of the National Research Council (CNR) in Rome, the kick-off meeting of the “Wide Band Gap Pilot Line” project officially marked the start of a new European technological infrastructure dedicated to Wide Band Gap (WBG) semiconductors. This strategic initiative aims to foster the development of innovative applications in key sectors such as electric mobility, telecommunications, power electronics, and radiofrequency technologies.

The meeting, opened by CNR President Andrea Lenzi, brought together institutional and scientific representatives from seven European countries – Italy, Finland, Poland, Sweden, Austria, France, and Germany – which will collaborate under Italian coordination. The project is part of the European Chips Act, adopted in 2023, with the goal of strengthening Europe’s production capacity in the microelectronics sector and reducing technological dependency from Asia and US.

According to Lenzi, the initiative represents “a fundamental step in consolidating the European innovation ecosystem in a sector closely linked to ecological transition, automotive, and digitalization, with positive impacts on investment and employment.”

The Catania hub at the heart of the Pilot Line

A central role will be played by the Catania site, set to become one of the key hubs of the Pilot Line. With an investment of around €190 million – part of the €320 million allocated by the European Commission – a technological facility of approximately 80,000 square meters will be built in the city’s industrial area, under the scientific coordination of the CNR-IMM (Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems). The success of this project is an international recognition of the scientific skills in the field of WBG semiconductors, developed during the last 20 years by IMM researchers” – stated Vittorio Privitera, Director of IMM.

Operational management is entrusted to the Chip4Power Consortium, in which CNR is the majority shareholder, alongside Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Fondazione ChipsIT, and the inter-university consortium IUNET. “Today’s launch confirms the start of the operational phase and compliance with the project schedule, thanks to close cooperation with the Ministries of University and Research (MUR) and of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), as well as with the Sicilian Region and the Municipality of Catania,” stated Stefano Fabris, President of Chip4Power.

The Municipality of Catania recently approved the land concession required for the facility, a crucial step for the concrete start of activities.

A strategic investment for Europe

The Wide Band Gap Pilot Line project stands among the most significant European initiatives in the field of microelectronics. Beyond enhancing Europe’s technological capacity, the Pilot Line is designed to foster stronger collaboration between research and industry, consolidating Europe’s leadership in a highly strategic and fast-growing global sector.