Infineon Technologies AG is playing a key industrial role in helping Europe advance toward practical and commercially viable quantum computing. The company is contributing its advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities to three quantum pilot line projects: SUPREME, CHAMP-ION, and SPINS.
These European quantum pilot lines are meant to close the gap between academic research and large-scale industrial production. They offer shared, open-access facilities with industrial-grade equipment for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and research groups, supporting faster development of quantum computing, communication, and sensing technologies. In total, six EU-funded projects covering different hardware approaches have been chosen to drive the development of quantum chip technology across Europe over the next seven years.
Quantum computing allows calculations to be much faster and is one of the most disruptive technologies, enabling breakthroughs that address complex problems beyond the reach of classical computing and even supercomputers. Its applications span areas such as drug discovery, advanced materials science, supply chain optimization, and highly efficient energy grid management. Studies project the overall quantum market to reach USD 97 billion by 2035. Realizing this market and innovation potential depends on the rapid translation of R&D innovation into industrial manufacturing excellence. Quantum systems will only scale if their most critical components work reliably, repeatably and can be manufactured with precision and at scale.
“The goal is very clear: to develop and manufacture quantum computers in Europe. The quantum pilot lines create exactly the kind of close, high‑impact collaboration needed across the entire quantum value chain. Together with excellent partners, we are strengthening Europe’s quantum ecosystem and turning research excellence into scalable, industrial solutions. This is how quantum computing will move from the lab to real-world deployment”, says Sabine Herlitschka, Head of Strategic Funding Management at Infineon Technologies. “It significantly contributes to the goals of the European Chips Act and the digital sovereignty within this key technology.”
From lab to fab and scalability
Infineon contributes to three European quantum pilot lines with dedicated quantum technologies comprising ion-traps, superconducting and semiconductor-based spin technologies. With this multi-technology approach the highly skilled Infineon-quantum team operates dedicated laboratories that are closely connected to semiconductor production. The collaboration within the pilot line consortia will accelerate quantum development on different platforms and combine it with high volume manufacturing for critical quantum computing hardware components, like quantum processing units.
Infineon is participating in the following three European quantum pilot lines:
CHAMP-ION (Championing a European advanced manufacturing of ion-traps)
This pilot line is establishing Europe’s first advanced ion trap quantum chip manufacturing line. Led by Silicon Austria Labs (SAL), the project unites 21 partners from six countries. Together, they aim to provide the entire value chain, from design to microfabrication and testing, for fully integrated, mass-producible, and miniaturized ion trap systems. These systems combine integrated electronics and photonic structures on a single chip to enable quantum computing and its applications.
SUPREME (Pilot line for superconducting quantum Chips)
Led by the Finnish research organization VTT, the consortium brings together 23 partners from eight countries. The project focuses on the industrialization of superconducting quantum technologies. Superconductivity enables efficient, low loss qubits that can be built with proven semiconductor technologies for fast and reliable quantum operations. A key milestone is the development of a 200 qubit, 3D integrated module. This module will demonstrate improved stability, manufacturing yield, and reproducibility.
SPINS (Pilot line for industrial quantum NanoSystems)
Coordinated by imec, this pilot line is developed for either pure silicon or silicon/silicon-germanium structured quantum chips using largely standard CMOS manufacturing to enable scalability. The consortium brings together 25 partners from nine countries, driving the transition from lab to industrial fabs with standardized quantum design kits allowing multi‑project wafer runs for customers.
All European quantum pilot line projects receive co-funding from the European Union, and national funding from participating countries under the Chips for Europe initiative and the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU).
