BRUSSELS – The European Commission is creating a European Chips Act to increase microprocessor R&D and manufacturing with dedicated funds, said EU president Ursula von der Leyen, according to reports.

The plan is for the EU to account for at least 20% of the world’s sustainable semiconductor market value by 2030, and the EU expects to have its first quantum computer by 2025.

“We need to link together world-class research, design and testing capacities,” said von der Leyen. “The aim is to jointly create a state-of-the-art European chip ecosystem, including production, that ensures our security of supply and will develop new markets for groundbreaking European tech.”

The EU should stop being dependent on Asia-manufactured microprocessors, she said. Europe should design and make its own components. Right now, they account for less than 10% of the European market, say reports.

The European Commission estimates the EU needs to invest €42 billion in communication networks annually, €17 billion in semiconductors and €11 billion in cloud technologies.

In May, European semiconductor sales were $3.7 billion, up 31.2% year-over-year, according to the European Semiconductor Industry Association. To achieve 20% market value by 2030, the EU says, annual sales would have to be multiplied by a factor of five.

Von der Leyen said the Commission would increase investment in cybersecurity as well, with a €7.9 billion defense research fund for military technologies already in place.

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