The government is promoting advanced photonic chip manufacturing in Vigo and the creation of a microelectronics and cybersecurity center in Murcia with a joint investment of nearly 37 million euros.
The Council of Ministers has approved two strategic investments for the technological future of Spain through the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT). These operations, approved under the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, feature two leading national companies: Sparc, dedicated to the manufacturing of photonic semiconductors in Galicia, and Quantix, a new company that will place Murcia on the European map for cybersecurity and microelectronics.
Sparc: Next-Generation Photonic Chips in Vigo
With a public injection of 17.2 million euros, the government supports the Galician company Sparc, a young integrated photonics firm that will establish a facility in Vigo for manufacturing integrated circuits and wafers of indium phosphide (InP), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and gallium nitride (GaN). These advanced materials will help surpass the traditional dominance of silicon, paving the way for microchips with higher bandwidth, lower energy consumption, and miniaturization capabilities, aimed at sectors such as automotive, communications, quantum computing, consumer electronics, and medicine.
Currently, Europe represents less than 10% of the world’s semiconductor production capacity. The Sparc factory will contribute to the goal of the European Chips Act, which aims to achieve a 20% market share by 2030, helping to cover the production deficit and promoting the strategic autonomy of Spain and the European Union.
This operation will enable Sparc to offer a theoretical capacity of 20,000 wafers per year, generating around 200 highly qualified direct jobs and another 550 indirect jobs. Additionally, the capital increase, which involves strategic partners like Indra, will foster talent retention and the development of the Spanish SME sector. This initiative represents a strong commitment to innovation and public-private collaboration, framed within the PERTE Chip initiative.
Quantix: Cybersecurity and Microelectronics with a Murcia Label
The second significant move approved by the government is SETT’s participation, with 19.6 million euros, in the new company Quantix Edge Security. This company, born from collaboration among Spanish firms like OdinS (a spin-off from the University of Murcia) and TProtege, along with Swiss firm WiseKey and French company SealsQ, will establish a technological center for semiconductor customization and cybersecurity in the Region of Murcia.
Quantix Edge Security will centralize the production, customization, and packaging of microchips, as well as the creation of secure elements (cryptographic keys, security modules, certificates), equipped with advanced R&D facilities and a cleanroom. The project anticipates the creation of up to 250 jobs by the eighth year of operation, promoting a regional ecosystem of high added value.
This center is strategic in the current context of post-quantum and European regulation in cybersecurity, as it will focus on products resistant to quantum attacks and critical applications like passports, defense, cloud storage, and secure transactions. Furthermore, it will reduce dependence on non-European suppliers, aligning with the digital autonomy promoted by the EU.
A Public-Private Collaboration Model for the Digital Future
Both the investment in Sparc and in Quantix are structured under the SETT’s co-investment model, focusing on collaboration between the public sector and leading technology companies to strengthen Spain’s industrial capabilities in strategic areas. These operations are complemented by other SETT instruments, such as Next Tech (disruptive technologies) or Spain Audiovisual Hub.
The government emphasizes that these investments not only address the challenge of technological sovereignty and industrial resilience in Europe but also promote quality employment, innovation, and the growth of the national business fabric.
Conclusion
Spain is thus accelerating its commitment to becoming a benchmark in advanced semiconductors and cybersecurity, two key pillars for the future of the digital economy and data protection in the era of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Supporting companies like Sparc and Quantix demonstrates the institutional commitment to positioning the country at the forefront of European technology.
Source: La Moncloa