May 19th, 2025
Green Light for Europe’s First Ion-Trap-Chip Pilot Line
The Framework Partnership Agreement for Europe’s first ion-trap-chip pilot line has been positively evaluated by Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) as part of the EU Chips Act initiative. This is a significant milestone for the stabilization and strengthening of quantum technology fabrication, bolstering Europe’s technological sovereignty.
Graz/Innsbruck, Austria. May 19, 2025 – The CHAMP-ION initiative (Championing a European advanced manufacturing pilot line of ion-traps), coordinated by Silicon Austria Labs (SAL), delivers a seven-year strategic framework to establish a sustainable and scalable pilot line network across the EU. This network is set to advance ion-trap-chip innovation and mobilize the European ecosystem to enable high-quality mass industrial production.
Comprehensive blueprint for quantum technology fabrication and applications
The partnership provides a comprehensive blueprint for advancing the entire value chain towards high-quality fabrication, from design to packaging and manufacturing service delivery toward customers. The long-term goal is to achieve a fully integrated, tested, and miniaturized many-ion trap system with integrated electronics and photonic structures on a chip.
Multiple use cases will be fostered, with real-world applications in the quantum technology domains of quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communication. Additionally, the partnership will enable key ecosystem services to raise awareness and capabilities within the industry.
“Key technologies such as quantum science play an important role for Austria as a location for innovation. Our country already has a leading global role in this field, which we want to expand further with targeted investments. The participation of five Austrian organizations in the European CHAMP-ION initiative, under the leadership of Silicon Austria Labs, is another important milestone in securing Austria’s position in international quantum research and the development of practical and market-ready applications. The Austrian economy also benefits from this, because a competitive industrial location is inseparably linked to a strong innovation location,” emphasizes Innovation Minister Peter Hanke.
“The CHAMP-ION initiative reinforces Europe’s leadership in the global quantum technology landscape and highlights our outstanding scientific and technological capabilities. It is inspiring to see European innovation driving such a high-impact initiative. This collaboration will significantly contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty and economic resilience, while fostering a strong, cross-border ecosystem that supports future advancements in quantum technology,” says Christina Hirschl, CEO of SAL.
“The pilot line unites Europe’s ion-trap technology expertise for scalable quantum chip production,” says Mohssen Moridi, Senior Director at SAL. “With SAL acting as the main hosting site, we are proud to develop standardized processes to meet industrial needs. This initiative embodies Europe’s ambition to build a reliable supply chain for quantum technologies.”
The CHAMP-ION initiative fosters independence from international supply chains through the joint funding efforts of EU countries and the European Union. This collaboration is crucial for any high-tech location, particularly in the vital and promising field of quantum computing with trapped ions.
A collaborative effort across Europe
The CHAMP-ION initiative brings together 21 excellent partners from six different European nations. The consortium is comprised of:
The Framework Partnership Agreement marks a pivotal step in advancing Europe’s capabilities in quantum technology fabrication and ensuring a robust and sovereign technological future.
ABOUT SILICON AUSTRIA LABS (SAL)
Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (SAL) was founded in 2018 as a top non-university research center in the field of Electronics and Software Based Systems. At its locations in Graz, Villach and Linz, research is conducted on key technologies in the fields of Microsystems, Sensor Systems, Power Electronics, Intelligent Wireless Systems and Embedded Systems. SAL brings together key players from industry and science and thus valuable expertise and know-how, and conducts cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain. The aim is to accelerate the value creation process from idea to innovation – with excellent research and economic benefits. Owners are the Republic (50.1%), the Provinces of Styria and Carinthia (10% each), the Province of Upper Austria (4.95%) and the Association for the Electric and Electronics Industry (24.95%).
Foto credit: D. Kühl, AQT
Franz Domig
Head of Corporate Communications
+43 720 262627 126
Send e-mail
To download the AQT logo in various formats, along with additional images, please visit the following page.