Lithuania has the potential to become a leader in high technologies – this ambition will be reinforced by the Lithuanian Chips Competence Center, which is set to launch this year. The center has set a number of goals: to promote the growth of the semiconductor industry, help businesses, startups, and academic institutions implement advanced semiconductor technologies, create innovations, high-value jobs, and attract investments.
The center is established as part of the implementation of the European Union Chips Act, which aims to increase Europe's self-sufficiency in the semiconductor sector. The competence center will operate as a "one-stop-shop," combining the infrastructure and expertise of four partners – the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Vilnius University (VU), VILNIUS TECH, and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU).
Dr. Gediminas Raciukaitis, head of the Laser Technologies Department at FTMC and coordinator of this project, says that the establishment of the competence center is a strategic step towards Lithuania’s integration into the European chip ecosystem.
"We see a rapid global growth of the semiconductor and electronics sector and witness the technological progress as well as national independence playing increasingly more significant role. Therefore, it is important to leverage Lithuania's potential in specialized yet promising areas. By coordinating the resources of all four institutions, we will be able to offer unique services and expertise to businesses in one place," says the scientist.
The center's activities will launch in 2025, after receiving funding from the EU and Lithuania. It will operate as a virtual platform where each partner provides services according to their specialization, while FTMC ensures overall coordination of the center. This setup will allow the provision of high-quality services to local companies and through access to major European pilot lines enable the use of state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies in new products.
Dr. Saulius Tumenas, head of the ChipsC2-LT project, which will become the Lithuanian Chips Competence Center, says the goal is to offer all the necessary support to businesses in one place – from chip design to prototype testing, despite the location of outsorced specific equipment or expertise.
"For businesses, the most important thing is to get a high-quality and fast service, not to worry about where the necessary infrastructure is physically located. This concept will allow us to effectively utilize the strengths of all partners, avoid duplication, and reduce bureaucratic obstacles," he emphasizes.
Strengthening partnerships
According to G. Raciukaitis, one of the most important tasks of the center is to help Lithuanian companies integrate into European semiconductor value chains:
"We see great opportunities in specialized areas – photonic integrated circuits, terahertz technologies, advanced heterogeneous integration solutions. Lithuanian companies have the potential to create high value-added products, and the center will help them enter the market faster through making the necessary connections, and receiving technological support."
Scientists explain that the center will not lack partnerships – all four founding partners already have established relationships with businesses. FTMC cooperates with companies in Lithuania's laser and photonics ecosystem, including Light Conversion, Ekspla, Litilit, Akoneer, Altechna R&D and Femtika.
"We are also developing relationships with companies from South Korea, Taiwan, and the USA in the fields of semiconductor material processing and advanced heterogeneous chip integration. These partnerships will be important in expanding the center's international collaborations. We are creating laser technologies for the semiconductor and electronics industries worldwide, and we hope to implement these technologies in Lithuania as well," says G. Raciukaitis.
KTU already provides electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing services to companies such as Brolis Sensor, Continental, Deeper, Elinta, Kitron, and Teltonika.
"Our strategic direction is chips for industry. KTU is the only institution in Lithuania with a certified EMC laboratory, which allows testing of electronic components according to EU requirements. By participating in the center's activities, we will be able to expand these services and add additional testing capabilities. By creating an internationally recognized center, we will be able to integrate into international research infrastructures, cooperate with global companies, conduct their contract research, and participate in EU programs such as Horizon Europe, NATO’s Science for Peace, and NineSigma’s Open Innovation Network," says Prof. Mindaugas Zilys, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at KTU.
VILNIUS TECH actively collaborates with Lime Microsystems, developing multiband, multistandard wireless communication transceivers. It also works with Teltonika IoT Group, helping the company implement chip design and manufacturing initiatives in Lithuania.
"As market trends shift, we see a growing demand for chip design services. Therefore, we plan to further strengthen this area," says Prof. Vaidotas Barzdenas, Head of the Department of Computer and Communication Technologies at VILNIUS TECH.
Prof. Ramunas Aleksiejunas, Director of the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology at the Faculty of Physics of VU, adds that VU already participates in CERN collaboration programs, where university scientists help develop radiation-resistant electronics:
"We also maintain close ties with Taiwanese universities in the semiconductor field. Thanks to the competence center, we will further expand international cooperation and involve Lithuanian companies."
Developing more specialists
R. Aleksiejunas says the competence center will also help address the shortage of specialists.
"The center will help reorient and update study programs to better meet market needs. It will also provide opportunities for students and researchers to use modern infrastructure necessary for research and innovation," says the VU professor.
V. Barzdenas agrees that one of the main goals of VILNIUS TECH is to update study programs so that they align with the latest trends in the semiconductor sector.
"VILNIUS TECH is already training chip design specialists, but with the center’s help, we will be able to expand this activity further with new modules on GaN technologies, power electronics, and other relevant fields. We aim to double the number of students interested in semiconductor technologies within the next few years," the professor emphasizes.
He says that VILNIUS TECH is a member of the ATHENA consortium, which unites six European universities and offers a joint master's program in embedded intelligent nanosystems engineering.
"We plan to create a comprehensive digital learning resource package for chip design, covering analog/mixed-signal and digital circuits. These resources will be available not only to students but also to company employees seeking to acquire or update chip design knowledge," says V. Barzdenas.
In cooperation with Taiwanese universities, VU plans to create a new master's program in "Semiconductor Physics, Processing, and Engineering." VILNIUS TECH and KTU will update their bachelor’s and master’s programs and create around 50 new or revised courses.
"KTU’s analysis of electronics companies showed that currently, about 2,000 specialists are needed for designing, manufacturing, assembling, and testing chips – specialists who understand semiconductor production equipment, industrial processes, and materials – and this demand will only grow," says M. Zilys.
According to him, close cooperation with companies will ensure that graduates have career opportunities in Lithuania.
"One of the main strategies for retaining talent is to create close collaboration between academia and industry. This approach will not only foster scientific research and innovation but also strengthen the center’s role in developing talent and enhancing their practical skills," assures M. Zilys.
A chance to unlock the country's potential
Scientists agree that Lithuania has the potential to become a strong player in specialized semiconductor areas, especially in wide-bandgap semiconductors, power electronics, THz technologies, and photonic integrated circuits. Moreover, the country already has a strong laser and photonics sector, which can be leveraged to develop innovative chip integration solutions.
"Our scientists publish articles in top-tier journals and collaborate with globally recognized universities. Now the most important thing is to use this potential effectively through creating innovative products. We see great opportunities in niche areas like terahertz technologies, wide-bandgap semiconductors for power electronics, and photonic integrated circuits, where competition is lower and added value is very high," emphasizes R. Aleksiejunas.
G. Raciukaitis says the competence center will help discover new specializations and strengthen existing ones.
"Over the next five years, we aim to serve at least 50 companies, initiate at least 10 new semiconductor startups, and help businesses attract significant investments to the sector. But the most important thing is to create a sustainable ecosystem that can grow and evolve independently, which would lead to attracting more talent and investments from around the world," the scientist outlines.
