fujifilm's major belgium investment signals european chip boom
Belgium, Friday, 7 February 2025.
Amid a global surge in semiconductor demand, Fujifilm is making a significant move by investing 4 billion yen (approximately $26.75 million) in expanding its production facility in Zwijndrecht, Belgium. The investment aims to boost the production of chemical mechanical planarization slurries, essential for semiconductor manufacturing. This decision comes as Europe experiences an increasing demand for automotive and industrial semiconductors, driven by advancements in digital technologies. The company plans to initiate new production facilities by spring 2026, further integrating with their global network in the U.S., South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. With European chip demand expected to double from 2022 to 2030, Fujifilm’s strategic investment highlights its commitment to supporting the burgeoning semiconductor market in the continent. Hans Vloeberghs, President and Managing Director of Fujifilm Electronic Materials Europe, underscores the importance of this expansion in reinforcing local capacity and capability.
Strategic expansion amid market growth
The investment represents a calculated response to the semiconductor market’s robust growth trajectory. CMP slurries, critical components in chip manufacturing, are projected to see a 13 percent annual growth rate [1]. The European semiconductor market is particularly promising, with revenue expected to reach $68.44 billion by 2025 [1]. This expansion aligns with Fujifilm’s broader strategy, as the company plans additional investments of 170 billion yen globally in R&D and capital from 2024 to 2026 [1].
Global supply chain implications
The Belgium facility expansion strengthens Fujifilm’s global production network, which spans across the US, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan [1]. This strategic positioning comes after a period of significant supply chain challenges between 2020 and 2023, when global semiconductor supply struggled to meet demand [1]. The investment addresses the exponential increase in demand driven by developments in AI, 5G, autonomous driving, and virtual technologies [1].
Market response and future outlook
Hans Vloeberghs’ statements reflect confidence in the European semiconductor industry’s growth potential [1]. The investment builds upon previous strategic commitments announced in April 2023 [1]. With European chip demand projected to double between 2022 and 2030 [1], this expansion positions Fujifilm to capitalize on the region’s digital transformation in manufacturing [1]. Operations are set to commence in spring 2026 [alert! ‘verify timeline status as current date is February 2025’].