The Netherlands is set to establish a European pilot factory for photonic chips, which transmit information using light rather than electrons. With €380 million in public funding from Europe and 11 participating nations, approximately €133 million is earmarked for the Dutch facility, expected to be constructed in Eindhoven and Enschede. Companies like Smart Photonics and research institutions such as TNO and TU Eindhoven will be involved. The technology promises to enable cheaper, faster, and energy-efficient devices, potentially opening new industrial avenues and strengthening the EU’s competitive edge.