CITC researcher in lab.jpg

CITC makes chips smarter through advanced packaging technology

<p><strong>At the Noviotech Campus in Nijmegen, the Chip Integration Technology Center (CITC) is working on a vital link in the chip industry: packaging. Chip packages are the casing that surrounds the chip — and they’re just as important as the chip itself. In fact, the limits of chip innovation have already been reached. Breakthroughs in self-driving cars or ultra-fast internet are now only possible through smart chip packaging. “The package is no longer a necessary evil. It has become crucial to the continued evolution of electronics.”</strong></p><h2>From regional collaboration to European impact</h2><p>CITC was founded in 2019 with financial support from, among others, the Province of Gelderland and the Municipality of Nijmegen. Since then, it has grown into an open innovation center where companies, knowledge institutes, and educational organizations collaborate closely.</p><p>“Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation,” CITC group manager Francesca Chiappini. “In the six years since our founding, we’ve built an effective ecosystem of industrial partners, research institutes, and educators, all working together on a new generation of packages that provide smarter, safer, and more robust protection for chips.”&nbsp;</p><p>This ecosystem is firmly rooted in the eastern Netherlands, with partners in both Nijmegen and Enschede. But CITC’s ambitions go beyond regional borders. “Innovation doesn’t stop at national boundaries. Many of our customers and suppliers operate globally. We also contribute to European initiatives such as E2Packman, a consortium that accelerates innovation in the manufacturing of electronic packages,” Chiappini explains.</p><figure class="image image_resized"><img src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/CITC_researcher_in_lab_4d0c84fc60.jpg" alt="CITC researcher in lab.jpg" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_CITC_researcher_in_lab_4d0c84fc60.jpg 234w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_CITC_researcher_in_lab_4d0c84fc60.jpg 500w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_CITC_researcher_in_lab_4d0c84fc60.jpg 750w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/large_CITC_researcher_in_lab_4d0c84fc60.jpg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"><figcaption>CITC researcher in lab</figcaption></figure><h2>Preparing the next generation of talent</h2><p>Innovation isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. That’s why CITC invests heavily in the professionals of tomorrow, from primary school pupils to PhD candidates. “We try to spark children’s curiosity for science and technology at an early age. Once that seed is planted, we often see them return for internships or hands-on experience days. We also host many students and PhD researchers throughout the year,” says Chiappini.</p><p>A key part of this educational focus is the Semiconductor Packaging minor, developed jointly with HAN University of Applied Sciences. The program attracts not only students from across the Netherlands but also industry professionals eager to deepen their expertise. In doing so, CITC helps secure a future-proof workforce for this rapidly growing sector.</p><h2>Essential link&nbsp;</h2><p>East Netherlands is the second-largest semiconductor hub in the country. Here, suppliers, equipment builders, manufacturers, and educational institutions operate in close proximity — enabling fast collaboration and cross-pollination. CITC plays a connecting role in this ecosystem. “We are an open research institute, collaborating with many different partners and making our equipment and expertise available to others,” Chiappini explains.</p><p>The result is a region that not only creates local value but also contributes to Europe’s technological sovereignty. CITC demonstrates how innovation thrives through collaboration — regionally rooted, yet European in reach.</p><h2>Showcasing the region’s strength in Brussels</h2><p>During the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) in October 2025, the eastern Netherlands will showcase its contribution to Europe’s semiconductor sector. On 14 October, Think East Netherlands will host the networking event “Connecting Regional Semiconductor Ecosystems” in Brussels.</p><p><strong>CITC makes chip technology work — for the Netherlands and for Europe.</strong><br>&nbsp;Will you join us? #MakeChipTechWork</p>