Catania: €198 million microchip line agreement, Sicily's hi-tech capital.

The Sicilian Region, the Municipality of Catania and the National Research Council have signed the agreement for the construction of the “Microchip pilot line” in the industrial area of ​​the Etna capital, an intervention financed with €19 million from the 2021-2027 Development and Cohesion FundThe initiative is part of the chips act, the European Union's strategic programme to strengthen technological and manufacturing capacity in the wide bandgap semiconductor sector.

The project PL4-WBG (Pilot Line 4 – wide bandgap), coordinated by Italy and dedicated to the development of a new generation of semiconductors, has identified Catania as the site of the new pilot line. The EU contributes to the overall funding with 85,7 million euro, while an equal amount is guaranteed by national co-financing provided by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy and the Ministry of Universities and Research, a fundamental contribution to ensuring the full implementation of the project and the strengthening of the Italian semiconductor supply chain.

«Sicily becomes a protagonist of the European technological revolution and this agreement marks an epochal transition for our Island – says the President of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani Our goal is to reverse the brain drain: this initiative must create concrete opportunities to retain our young talent and attract researchers and professionals from Italy and abroad. The working method adopted, which saw the Region, the Municipality, and the CNR working in full harmony, represents an effective model of shared governance that we intend to replicate for all major strategic projects. We focus on research, innovation, and cutting-edge technologies to build the future of our children here in Sicily.

«The signing of this agreement consolidates Sicily's role in the European semiconductor supply chain. – says the regional councillor for Productive Activities, Edy Tamajo – and strengthens Catania's position as an advanced innovation hub. The project meets the objectives set by the Chips Act and contributes to creating new opportunities for highly specialized industrial and employment development. The collaboration between the Region, the Municipality, and the National Research Council (CNR) demonstrates the institutions' ability to work with a shared vision and support projects that increase the region's competitiveness. The regional government, Tamajo concludes, is continuing to implement the investments envisaged by the FSC, with particular attention to high-tech infrastructure. The microchip pilot line represents a fundamental step to strengthen Sicily's presence in strategic sectors of the global economy and to attract further public and private investment."

The project involves the provision by the Municipality of an area of 80.150 square meters through the establishment of the surface rights in favor of the CNR, the construction of the technological building intended to house the new infrastructure and the integration with the clean room and the advanced equipment envisaged by the European program. National Research Council takes on the role of beneficiary and implementing entity, coordinating the use of resources and ensuring full implementation of the intervention, in compliance with the approved regulatory and programmatic framework.