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:: 11:00 - 16:00 (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 Dutch 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.

Programme (updated)

Please note that the official program will now begin earlier at 12:00 to accommodate our keynote speakers. Doors open at 11:00 for lunch and networking.

Walk-in

11:00-12:00

Guest arrival, lunch and informal networking.

Introducing the Dutch Photonic Chip Pilot Line

12:00-12:20

Opening by moderator Vivianne Bendermacher, conversation and talk 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.

Speech by Henna Virkkunen

12:20-12:35

Short introduction by Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi, CEO TNO.
Speech by Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

Speech by Henna Virkkunen
Henna Virkkunen

Reflections

12:35-12:50

Speech by Heleen Herbert, Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

Heleen Herbert

In conversation

12:50-13:00

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

Peter Wennink

Lighting the future

13:00-13:10

Talk by Johan Feenstra, CEO SMART Photonics.

Johan Feenstra

Panel discussion

13:10-13:25

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.
Valerio Pruneri, ICFO Group Leader and Director PIXEurope.
Eelko Brinkhoff, CEO PhotonDelta.

From left to right: Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Jari Kinaret, Valerio Pruneri and Eelko Brinkhoff.

Official ceremony & photo moment

13:25-13:40

Short ceremony to mark the start of the construction phase and official photo moment.

Top, left to right: Henna Virkkunen, Heleen Herbert and Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi. Bottom, left to right: Eelko Brinkhoff, Jeroen Dijsselbloem and Otto van den Boogaard.

Break

13:40-14:00

Break with refreshments.

Masterclass & Q&A session

14:00-14:45

Masterclass and Q&A session to explore why InP photonic chips are essential for faster, energy-efficient technologies shaping our future with:

Kevin Williams, Full Professor and Chair of the Photonic Integration research group at TU/e.
Boudewijn Docter, Engineering Director at TNO.

Speakers
From left to right: Kevin Williams and Boudewijn Doctor.

Networking reception

14:45-16:00

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.