Eindhoven to buy Brainport campus as ASML expands

The city of Eindhoven has announced plans to acquire a major portion of the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC), a move aimed at strengthening the region’s position as a leading hub for high-tech innovation and advanced manufacturing.

The acquisition will give the municipality greater control over the future development of the campus, ensuring a diverse mix of large corporations, startups, research institutions and educational facilities.

The BIC 1 complex, which was completed in 2019 and has now reached full occupancy with 2,000 employees and 500 students, is set to come under municipal ownership following negotiations with the current owner, Capreon. The City Council voted in favour of the acquisition of BIC 1 on 25 February with a 40 to 1 majority.

“The acquisition allows us to shape the long-term development of Brainport,” said Stijn Steenbakkers, Eindhoven’s deputy mayor and a key proponent of the deal. “This move aligns with our vision of fostering a globally competitive technology ecosystem that supports innovation across all levels.”

In addition to high-tech manufacturing and R&D, the expansion is expected to accommodate growing demand from semiconductor and deep-tech firms, including ASML, Europe’s largest technology company.

This follows news in June 2024 that Eindhoven’s city council voted in favour of an initial agreement with ASML to begin planning a major expansion in the city’s north. Called BIC North, the site will accommodate ASML’s continued expansion with a possible 20,000 extra jobs for the semiconductor machine manufacturer. The plan will support ASML’s need for additional space as the industry prepares for significant global growth.

ASML, which produces the world’s most advanced chipmaking equipment, had previously warned that it might shift major operations abroad unless the Netherlands guaranteed sufficient infrastructure and workforce development. In response, Dutch national and regional authorities launched the €2.5 billion “Project Beethoven” intended to finance the expansion of public facilities in the Eindhoven region, including educational facilities, hospitals, housing and infrastructure.

A substantial portion of the funds has been contributed by the business community in the region, demonstrating the strength of the collaboration and the ecosystem.

One of the biggest challenges accompanying this growth is housing availability. With more workers expected to relocate to Eindhoven, the city is launching a massive housing initiative, aiming to build 100,000 new homes over the next 15 years. The metropolitan area is expected to grow from 850,000 to over one million people within the next decade, driven by high-tech industry demand.

This effort is part of a public-private partnership, with major companies – including ASML – contributing to a €245 million fund to accelerate the development of affordable housing. Steenbakkers, speaking at a Real FDI panel session at the Expo Real conference in Munich in October 2024, stressed the importance of attracting and retaining talent to sustain Eindhoven’s high-tech expansion.

“The thing that is very important to boost economic development is people – just finding the right talent,” he said. “We need to ensure that Eindhoven remains an attractive destination for skilled professionals at all levels.”

Eindhoven’s dual approach – securing ASML’s growth while expanding Brainport Campus – underscores the city’s long-term ambitions to solidify its position as one of Europe’s foremost technology hubs. By acquiring BIC 1, the city will be able to exert greater influence over the types of businesses and institutions that settle in the region, ensuring a well-balanced mix of industry, research and education.