Informatietype:: Event
Thema:: Integrated photonics
Unit:: High Tech Industry

Construction start event: Dutch Photonic Chip Pilot Line

On Monday, 9 March 2026, TNO and its partners will host an exclusive, invite-only event to celebrate the official start of construction of the Dutch Photonic Chip Pilot Line. This milestone marks the launch of a flagship project under the EU’s Chips for Europe Initiative, highlights our ambitions, and brings together leading decision-makers, technical experts, and industry influencers shaping the future of photonic chip production in the Netherlands.

Startdatum:: 9 Mar

Time:: 13:00 - 17:30 (CET)
Location:: Conference Centre, High Tech Campus 1-B, The Strip 5656 AE, Eindhoven

Breaking ground

The Netherlands is making a decisive leap in photonic innovation with the construction of the Photonic Chip Pilot Line, an industrial-scale facility hosted by TNO, integrated into the broader infrastructure of the European PIXEurope Pilot Line. Situated at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, a leading hub for high-tech collaboration, this pilot line will serve as a critical testbed and fabrication site for advanced Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic chips at 6-inch wafer scale. By bridging cutting-edge research with scalable manufacturing, it will accelerate the journey from concept to market, enabling faster, more energy-efficient technologies that power next-generation communications and computing.

Witness the official start of the construction phase with leading voices in industry, government, and R&D, including Ruben Brekelmans (Minister of Defense), Vincent Karremans (Minister of Economic Affairs), Jeroen Dijsselbloem (Mayor of Eindhoven), Silvia Lenaerts (Eindhoven University of Technology), Valerio Pruneri (PIXEurope), Johan Feenstra (SMART Photonics) and many others.

Programme

Walk-in

13:00-14:00

Guest arrival, coffee and informal networking.

Introducing the Photonic Chip Pilot Line

14:00-14:15

Opening by moderator Vivianne Bendermacher and conversation with:

Arnaud de Jong, Managing Director TNO High Tech Industry
Ton van Mol, Managing Director TNO at Holst Centre

From left to right: Vivianne Bendermacher, Arnaud de Jong and Ton van Mol.

Lighting the future

14:15-14:30

Talk by Ton van Mol, Managing Director TNO at Holst Centre.

In conversation

14:30-14:40

Moderator-led conversation with Peter Wennink, independent Government advisor.

Peter Wennink

Lighting the future

14:40-14:55

Talk by Johan Feenstra, CEO SMART Photonics.

Johan Feenstra

Panel discussion

14:55-15:15

Moderator-led panel on the regional, national and European impact of the pilot line. With:

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Mayor of Eindhoven and Chair Brainport Eindhoven
Jari Kinaret, Executive Director Chips Joint Undertaking
Silvia Lenaerts, Rector Magnificus Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Valerio Pruneri, ICFO Group Leader and Director PIXEurope

From left to right: Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Jari Kinaret, Silvia Lenaerts and Valerio Pruneri.

Official ceremony

15:15-15:45

Official and festive ceremony with, amongst others:

Ruben Brekelmans, Minister of Defense
Vincent Karremans, Minister of Economic Affairs

Top, left to right: Vincent Karremans and Ruben Brekelmans. Bottom, left to right: Eelko Brinkhoff, Otto van den Boogaard and Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi.

Masterclass & Q&A session

15:45-16:30

Masterclass and Q&A with experts from TNO, TU/e and PhotonDelta to explore why photonic chips are essential for faster, energy-efficient technologies shaping our future.

Networking reception

16:30-17:30

Closing reception with refreshments.

Background

The Dutch pilot line is funded through the EU Chips Act by the Chips Joint Undertaking, and co-financed by PhotonDelta, TNO and the Dutch Ministries of Economic Affairs and Defense. The total investment amounts to €153 million over five years. The High Tech Campus Eindhoven is also investing in the building and cleanroom infrastructure.