According to the Bank’s website, the project will support the promoter’s research, development and innovation (RDI) activities and RDI related capital expenditures (capex) to develop next generation of silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer technologies for the semiconductor industry.
In detail, three main components are part of this project. The first two component concern investments in RDI activities as well as the deployment of a first industrial deployment (FID) line of innovative semiconductor substrates and account for around 94% of total project costs.

The third component relates to the construction of a new water treatment plant. The water treatment plant serves both to produce different types of process waters needed in the manufacturing process as well as for the treatment of wastewater to comply with the applicable discharge permits.  

In addition to support RDI and related capex, the project includes the capacity expansion of a wastewater treatment plant located at the promoter's main location.

The project relates to the promoter's RDI investments in a broad portfolio of wafer products to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the sector. When compared with other regions, Europe is behind in manufacturing semiconductors and this project will support the targets of the Digital Decade Policy Programme to increase EU's global market share in semiconductors, as well as the European Chips Act. The project will contribute to strengthen Europe's technological leadership.

The EIB loan product provides the Promoter with a flexible and tailored financial solution that strengthens its capital structure and liquidity. It includes favourable terms such as a long tenor and extended availability period. The proposed loan also provides a strong signal on the quality of the Borrower and its project, helping crowd in other commercial lenders.

All the activities are carried out on the Promoter’s existing industrial site in Bernin and Grenoble. Hence, no nature conservation sites are concerned by the project.

The proposed RDI activities will take place mainly inside buildings at existing RDI or manufacturing facilities already being used for similar activities and are not expected to have a significant negative environmental impact on the surroundings.

As far as the new water treatment facility is concerned, it is anticipated that the negative environmental impacts will likely be mainly associated with the period of construction and will be mainly localised, temporary and reversible such as (i) minor disturbance (dust, noise, etc.) due to construction works and (ii) temporary increase of traffic around the construction site.

Soitec SA is a French semiconductor materials company that designs and manufactures engineered substrates for electronics like smartphones and computers.

No contacts available at the time of disclosure.

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