The race for quantum technology is in full swing. Around the world, countries are working on breakthroughs that could shape technological dynamics for decades to come. Europe, and the Netherlands in particular, must act strategically now to avoid becoming dependent on major powers like China and the United States.

Dutch technology developer and manufacturer Demcon has sold its stake in Dutch United Instruments (DUI) to QED Technologies International. American company QED has now become the sole owner of DUI, which develops instruments for ultra-precise, contactless metrology of optical components. This makes DUI a perfect fit for the portfolio of QED, a leading provider of advanced production and metrology solutions for precision optics. “As a technology partner and co-investor, we have contributed to the development of DUI into a successful scale-up,” says Demcon CEO Dennis Schipper.

The province of North Brabant is investing nearly 4 million euros in the further development of a new generation of nuclear reactors. A consortium of the companies Thorizon, VDL Groep and DEMCON will work in Brabant in the coming years to develop and test crucial components for a molten salt reactor. This investment should lead to new market opportunities for Brabant's high-quality manufacturing industry.

Today, 64 companies and (knowledge) organisations from the Dutch chip industry present their innovation program to the Dutch Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs. The sector aims to further strengthen the strong position that the Netherlands holds globally in semiconductors. After all, international developments in the semiconductor industry are advancing rapidly.