A conversation about the path to a competitive, digital Europe with Patrick Pype and Romano Hoofman

In this Euractiv Thought Leadership Interview, Jennifer Baker sits down with Romano Hoofman, Strategic Development Director, imec & EU Chips Design Platform Coordinator and Patrick Pype, Strategic Partnerships Director, NXP, to discuss Europe’s Chips Future — the strategic investments driving the continent’s semiconductor industry and their real-world impact.They explore why semiconductors are essential for Europe’s sovereignty and competitiveness, how strategic investments are reshaping the landscape, and what tangible results have already been achieved under the EU Chips Act. The discussion looks at:- Why chips are crucial for Europe’s future and global supply chains- How the EU Chips Act aims to strengthen Europe’s fabrication and design capacity Ensuring a level playing field for investment with other continents- How semiconductors contribute to clean energy and power efficiency- Supporting industrialisation and innovation through EU-level cooperation- Stimulating new startups and research collaboration to grow Europe’s chip ecosystemPatrick and Romano share insights on Europe’s progress so far and the next steps needed to translate research excellence into industrial success.