New Origin photonics factory secures seed funding
The factory, which plans to be operative by 2026, received funding from the province of Overijssel and Oost NL to kick off construction.
Published on January 17, 2025
© New Origin
New Origin, an advanced chip production facility, received funding to start construction. The factory will be built in Enschede and is expected to begin production of state-of-the-art silicon nitride photonic chips by the end of 2026. Thanks to a grant from the province of Overijssel and the participation of the regional development agency Oost NL as a shareholder, the company can accelerate the construction of its facility.
The arrival of New Origin strengthens Twente's position as an international frontrunner in integrated photonics, a technology that uses light to process information faster and more efficiently. New Origin originated from the historical accumulation of knowledge in the region, stemming in part from the pioneering work of the MESA+ Institute at the University of Twente (UT).
Photonics factory for growth and innovation
The building of the factory marks a pivotal step for ChipTech Twente, a cluster of educational, government, and industry partners. With this partnership, the actors involved are strengthening the regional capabilities in analog chip design, chip design software, supply to the semiconductor industry and new technology such as quantum and photonics.
Commissioner Erwin Hoogland of the Province of Overijssel explains: “The Twente chip industry continues to develop at lightning speed, which is good for economic growth and innovation in the region, but also for the Netherlands and the countries around us. Europe needs a robust, independent microchip sector. That is why, as the province of Overijssel, we are happy to contribute to the expansion of photonics as a new technology within the semiconductor industry. I hope that with an independent development and manufacturing facility in Twente, can make an important contribution. To the photonics cluster in the Netherlands, but also to the technological autonomy of Europe.”
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Regional cooperation as a key
University of Twente Holding (UTH), active with knowledge valorization on behalf of UT and since the beginning the driving force behind this initiative, has in recent months worked intensively with regional partners such as Oost NL and companies like Bronkhorst High-Tech, Demcon, LioniX International and Micronit to shape the business plan. PhotonDelta, the National Growth Fund's booster for photonic chip technology, is also closely involved.
Twan Korthorst, CEO of New Origin, confidently looks to the future: “This is a unique opportunity to create the world's first specialized silicon-nitride photonic chip factory. With the continued support of UTH and this new support from the Province of Overijssel and Oost NL, we can expand our team and take the necessary steps to build a world-class manufacturing facility. build. In doing so, we are laying the foundation for a new generation of technological applications from Twente for the whole world.”
Wendy de Jong, general director of Oost NL, emphasizes, “With New Origin, there is a unique opportunity to sustainably anchor knowledge, technology, and production in the eastern Netherlands. This project strengthens the competitive position of the Netherlands and our technological key position. Thanks to the cooperation between business, government, the ROM, and knowledge institutions, we are positioning our region worldwide as a key player in photonic chip technology.”