The Eindhoven City Council approved the possible expansion of ASML on the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) by a large majority on Tuesday, June 11. In April, the municipality of Eindhoven and ASML announced that they were jointly investigating whether the yet-to-be-built northern part of the campus would be a suitable location for the company's large-scale expansion. Now that the council has also given the green light, work can begin on the further elaboration of the plans. Together, they are working toward an agreement that is expected to be ready by the end of the year.
“ASML is welcome to the Brainport Industries Campus with its largest expansion to date,” said Alderman Stijn Steenbakkers (Brainport and Economy) about the city council’s decision. “This is a crucial milestone and a defining moment for the future of Eindhoven, the Brainport region, and the Netherlands. This decision, perhaps the most important and far-reaching decision in recent years, offers opportunities for the prosperity and well-being of our children and grandchildren. Of course, this must be done in balance so that everyone benefits from this development. I am confident that we will succeed in this together with all partners in the city, ASML, the province of North Brabant, and the central government. Strength through cooperation!”
Growing in Brainport Eindhoven
ASML wants to keep its core activities close to its main location (with R&D, production, and service) in Veldhoven and grow in the Brainport region. As an expansion location, the northern part (clusters 3 to 6) of the Brainport Industries Campus is in the picture. The area of about 100 hectares has a capacity for about 20,000 ASML jobs. With the possible expansion at BIC North, the company is committing itself to Europe, the Netherlands, and the Brainport Eindhoven region.
Roger Dassen, ASML’s CFO, welcomes the city council’s decision. “We are pleased to hear that we can move forward with developing our expansion plans at BIC. In the coming months, we will work closely with the Eindhoven City Council to discuss the details and get answers to outstanding questions. The aim is to reach a final contract of sale by the end of this year.”
Next steps
The next steps are the urban design and the cooperation agreement. In April, the Municipality of Eindhoven and ASML signed a letter of intent. Now that the Eindhoven City Council has also agreed, the necessary studies will be carried out in the coming months. The urban design and the cooperation agreement will also be further elaborated. These are expected to be ready by the end of this year. In July, the city council will decide on the continuation of the preferential right to land in the BIC Noord area that is not yet owned by the municipality.
Extra attention is paid to the social challenges and the level of facilities in the region. The importance and urgency of this was also emphasized by the City Council. That is why the municipality of Eindhoven and ASML are working together with partners on proposals for various social challenges that are also named in the package of measures of project Beethoven. Examples include programs in the four social funds in the areas of housing, accessibility, talent, and the social program Brainport for Each Other (Brainport Voor Elkaar). Further elaborating on the expansion at BIC North, a plan will also be made for jobs for practically educated people and unused labor potential at this location.
Brainport Industries Campus
The Brainport Industries Campus brings together entrepreneurship, innovation, education, and collaboration under one roof in a green landscape environment. An important campus where the high-tech ecosystem of Brainport Eindhoven meets and works together on innovations and solutions for societal challenges in the areas of sustainability, mobility, energy, and care. In addition to developing clusters 3 through 6 (the BIC North area), ASML can also serve as a catalyst for BIC 2. The City Council also approved the zoning plan for this complex on Tuesday. This decision marks the starting shot for the further expansion of BIC. The zoning plan came about after an intensive cooperation process between SDK Vastgoed (on behalf of VOF BIC) as the risk-bearing developing party, the municipality of Eindhoven, and various partners.