A New Chapter for Europe’s Semiconductor Future
I can say with confidence that Spain’s semiconductor sector is entering a new phase of growth.
Let’s have a look at how Imec’s new Chip Innovation Centre in Málaga fits into the country’s wider plan to build a stronger chip ecosystem and attract global investment.
Imec in Spain
Imec is opening its first international research and development centre in Málaga, Spain.
This will be imec’s first centre outside Belgium, a big moment not just for the organisation itself but for Europe’s semiconductor industry as a whole.
The new facility will rise inside Málaga’s Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía (PTA), the heart of the city’s growing tech ecosystem. It’s the result of a joint effort between the Government of Spain, the Andalusian regional government, and the City of Málaga, all working together to position the region at the centre of Europe’s chip innovation efforts.
The project carries a total investment of around €615 million, with €500 million coming directly from Spain’s central government. It’s one of the country’s largest commitments yet in semiconductor research.
Once completed, the Málaga centre will work alongside imec’s main site in Leuven, focusing on advanced materials and new chip processes that go beyond standard silicon.
Construction is expected to start in the late 2020s, with the centre planned to become operational around 2030.
What the Málaga Centre Will Do
It is important to know that the Málaga site won’t be a mass-production factory.
Instead it will act as a specialised research and pilot manufacturing line, where engineers can test and refine new semiconductor technologies before they reach large-scale production.
Work will cover areas such as process integration, thin films, lithography, etching, metrology, contamination control, and facilities management.
The design phase includes plans for a 2,000 m² cleanroom as part of a 32,000 m² campus, and the project is expected to create hundreds of highly qualified jobs as it ramps up, with public statements estimating around 400–450 roles once fully operational.
Linked to Europe’s NanoIC and Chips Act Programs
Also good to know that the Málaga project is tied to the European Union’s NanoIC pilot line, an initiative that gives European companies access to advanced chip design technologies and process design kits (PDKs).
What NanoIC Aims to Do
Karel Van Gils, Regional Managing Director Imec Spain, explained that the program focuses on moving research closer to industry. The goal is to raise technology readiness levels (TRLs) over a period of four to five years, helping new chip technologies become production-ready faster.
Through NanoIC, universities and companies in Spain and across Europe will have earlier access to training, process knowledge, and imec’s EU Chips Design Platform, which provides cloud-based design tools for fabless startups and research teams.
Why Málaga and Why Now
Málaga was chosen because it already has a strong technology community and available land inside the Andalusian Technology Park. Local universities provide a steady stream of engineers and researchers.
The regional and national governments have also shown strong support. Leaders such as Joe De Boeck, Executive Vice President of imec, and Carolina España, Andalusia’s Minister of Economy and Finance, have visited the site and confirmed their commitment to the project.
Spain’s national semiconductor plan, known as PERTE Chip, is another key driver. With a total budget of €12.25 billion, it aims to develop the full semiconductor value chain in Spain.
From design and R&D to pilot production. And it supports the wider European Chips Act goals.
How This Strengthens Spain’s Semiconductor Ecosystem
The Imec Málaga project is likely to have effects well beyond the city itself.
I believe that its impact will show up in three key areas:
How research turns into real production, how local industry grows around it, and how Spain develops and keeps its engineering talent.
The new pilot line in Málaga is part of a much bigger picture. Across Spain, different regions are building their own semiconductor hubs and networks to support projects like this one.
Closing the Gap Between Research and Production
For the first time, Spain will have access to a 300 mm pilot line.
This allows research groups to test and validate new chip ideas on real wafers instead of relying on facilities abroad. And it also helps projects move from research to higher TRLs more quickly.
Building Local Industry and Supply Chains
The centre is expected to attract suppliers, materials firms, and metrology companies to the region. This would then strengthen local industry and create supporting jobs in areas such as tools, maintenance, and logistics.
Developing and Keeping Talent in Spain
The site will also play an important role in training engineers. Imec and NanoIC both plan education and skills programmes that give young professionals real fab experience, helping Spain retain and develop its semiconductor talent.
Getting pilot lines off the ground in Málaga is one illustration of Europe’s semiconductor strategy in action. And Spain’s component in that.
To understand how Spain is funding and structuring its semiconductor strategy across regions (including Málaga), this overview is worth a read.”
Málaga’s Growing Role in European Technology
Imec’s expansion was announced during the Digital Enterprise Show 2025 (DES) in Málaga.
This event gathered around 17,000 executives and more than 400 companies, including imec, Google, and Hugging Face.
The organisers reported an estimated €30 million economic impact for the city and hotel occupancy of about 96 percent during the event. It highlighted Málaga’s growing role as a European technology and innovation centre.
At the same time, the Andalusian government launched a digitalisation plan to upgrade public services and encourage cooperation between private companies and public institutions.
Together, these projects show Málaga’s strong focus on digital and industrial growth.
A Personal View: What This Means for Talent and Industry
From my perspective in semiconductor recruitment, Imec’s arrival in Málaga is a turning point for Spain.
It connects design, process development, and pilot manufacturing in one place. Something Spain has needed for a long time.
For years, Spanish engineers have had to move abroad to gain fab experience. Now, some of these opportunities are coming home.
Different Skills Needed
The project will require a wide range of skills: process integration, lithography, etching, CMP, thin-film deposition, metrology, contamination control, EHS, facilities, and cleanroom operations.
Myself, I’m focused on connecting the right people to the right opportunities in the semiconductor world.
Local graduates, experienced engineers from across Europe, and Spanish professionals who want to come back home.
If this project helps them build lasting careers here, it could mark the start of a stronger, more independent semiconductor industry in Spain.
The Bottom Line
The imec Málaga project shows that Spain is (slowly) becoming part of Europe’s semiconductor core, not just a follower.
With strong public investment, cross-government cooperation, and Imec’s expertise, Málaga has the potential to become one of Europe’s main centres for chip innovation and training.
