The European Commission has announced the approval of €8.1 billion of state aid for microelectronics and communication technology projects.

The bloc on Thursday said that 14 member countries could provide the aid to 68 projects, including some involving firms such as Airbus, Ericsson and Renault. Those several dozen projects have been designated as an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), a designation which qualifies them for easier EU state aid rules.

The EU previously gave IPCEI status to a number of projects in the same sector in 2018.

The projects involve a total of 56 companies ranging from research and development into materials and tools, to chip design and manufacturing firms. These projects align with the EU’s drive to be a technology leader, and target areas such as 5G and 6G, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

The EU said that the IPCEI-approved projects could deliver their first novel products in 2025, with the overall project to be completed by 2032. Around 8.700 direct jobs are expected to be created, while the projects are expected to attract €13.7 billion in additional private investment.

European Commission vice president Margrethe Vestager said: "Microelectronics and communication technologies are the backbone of any modern electronic device from mobile phones to medical equipment. This Important Project of Common European interest is the largest approved so far and the second on microelectronics.

“Innovation is essential to help Europe's economy become greener and more resilient. But innovation can come with risks that the market alone is not ready to take. This is why State aid should be made available to fill such a gap.”

Countries providing the state aid are Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.

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