Of unprecedented scope, the Électronique 2030 plan marks the start of decades of innovation and growth in our industry, especially the one-of-a-kind microelectronics ecosystem in the Grenoble region. The Minalogic competitiveness cluster, along with other organizations, is proud to have played a key role for over 15 years in building the ecosystem through our programs and support. Minalogic has tracked the electronics industry for years and grown alongside it, and is now prepared to support the president’s broad plan in the Grenoble basin, the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and beyond.

The electronics industry is ever advancing and innovating to help companies make the transition to digital. By their very nature, electronics have an impact on nearly every corner of the economy. Next-generation components and electronic systems are key to remaining competitive in industries that include communications, mobility, energy, health and safety, and defense, as well as culture, education, and entertainment. New technologies will not only help fast-growing industries of the future in France reduce their dependence on foreign supply chains. They will also help shrink the carbon footprint of digital tools and accelerate the switch to greener solutions.

The French electronics industry is exploding and has numerous strengths that will allow it to continue growing rapidly:

• World-class scientific research facilities and prominent education programs that graduate top talent
• Traditional positioning in industrial-grade onboard electronics, the fastest-growing sector of the industry in the decade to come
• Premier component manufacturers (STMicroelectronics, Soitec, Lynred) and systems and equipment purchasers (Thales, Safran, Valeo, Airbus, Renault, Alstom, Sanofi, Schneider Electric)
• Global leadership in SOI materials, and strong positioning in GaN-based power electronics, essential for power grids
• A renowned, rigorous environment conducive to the creation of deep tech startups
• One of the top 3 globally ranked European clusters in the Grenoble and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region

For decades, support for the industry from the French government has focused on nanotechnology and Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). Nano2022, the administration’s latest plan, involves 6 industry leaders and a hundred or so public and private partners. The plan has received €1.1 billion in national and European aid, including €886.5 million from the French government, as well as additional funding from communities across the country and from the European Commission through the Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL) joint undertaking, as part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 program.

Joint national and European grants are a source of further support for the French electronics sector, but they have been insufficient for business investment. In response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, special funding programs were created under the France Relance plan to meet the electronics industry’s needs and demands for aid. As a result, 107 electronics industry projects have received a total of €141 million in national aid, and €463 million has been invested into business.

The recent economic crisis and shortage of electronics components revealed significant vulnerabilities and dependencies, as well as strong links in the value chain—a fact noted by leaders of the 27 member states of the EU at the March summit in Versailles, which was presided over by France. There, the leaders announced the European Chips Act, a sweeping plan by the EU to maintain technological advances made thus far and continue expanding production capacity, with the goal of doubling Europe’s global market share by 2030 to 20%.

Over €5 billion in direct aid will be dedicated to the Électronique 2030 program as part of the France 2030 plan. All told, over €16 billion will be invested into industry and innovation and creating direct employment The strategy rests on three pillars:

• Support for industrialization of electronics technologies and for doubling total production capacity in France
  • A mega facility in Crolles constructed by STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries to increase current production and develop cutting-edge technologies
  • Expanding and producing in France low-consumption electronics technologies (e.g., FDSOI), power electronics (GaN, SiC), and the latest in image sensing
  • Building Intel service and design sites in France
  • Earmarking funds for future disruptive industrial innovation and production
• Support for innovation and exploratory research
  • Developing the next 10 nm–class FDSOI technology node, which would place France among the top 5 countries with the most advanced manufacturing technology
  • Doubling the previous plan’s funding, with €800 million for academic research to develop new technologies
  • Helping emerging innovative companies (startups and small and medium-sized businesses) through specialized calls for projects
• Support for greater education and training in electronics to develop the talent that the industry needs