The Minister for Digital Transformation, Óscar López, has stated that Spain is "at the forefront" of emerging technologies such as photonics and quantum, and that it also has the necessary conditions to become a global benchmark in these areas.
He made this statement in Barcelona during his participation, alongside the Minister of Research of the Generalitat, Núria Montserrat, in the 'PIXEurope Connect-Industry Ecosystem Day' conference, focused on the European PixEurope Pilot Line project, aimed at strengthening the continent's semiconductor industry through research, innovation, and industrial capacity.
In his speech, López emphasized that the current technological revolution is changing the global landscape and that countries that do not adapt run the risk of being left behind in a few years.
"Hence the need for a European boost to knowledge, talent, innovation, and collaborations like this one for Europe to achieve industrial leadership in this type of disruptive technology," he explained.
Public impulse and commitment to talent
The minister defended the Executive's public policies, which, he said, are beginning to "bear fruit," including the National Strategy for Advanced Technologies, endowed with 8 billion euros, and a "record" investment in R&D in 2024, amounting to 24 billion.
He also highlighted the importance of talent and the Spanish university network, which facilitate scientific development and the connection between academia, qualified professionals, and industry in sectors considered strategic.
Montserrat and the Catalan strategy in photonics
The Minister of Research, Núria Montserrat, highlighted that the PIXEurope Pilot Line project will enable the design and manufacturing of photonic chips, with a "massive application" in fields such as telecommunications or health.
She pointed out that this initiative is integrated into the Government's Tridente Innovador strategy, aimed at moving towards a model of strategic autonomy in semiconductors, with the goal that Spain, Catalonia, and Europe can independently produce disruptive technologies such as photonics, computing, or AI.
Details of the PIXEurope project
The day has focused on the Pilot Photonics Line, coordinated by the Institute of Photonic Sciences (Icfo), which seeks to accelerate the development of photonic chips in Europe, characterized by lower energy consumption thanks to the use of light instead of electrons.
The European project has a budget of 400 million euros, of which Spain contributes 66.5 million, and will be deployed over the next few years with the goal of having a photonic ecosystem by 2030 that covers the entire value chain, from design to manufacturing, packaging, and testing.
According to government forecasts, the economic return in Spain could double the initial investment, with an estimated impact of up to 133 million euros.