AGP Executive Report

Chipmaking: ASML reported record third-quarter sales of €11.7 billion, but says chip-tool supply will fall short of demand in 2027 and 2028 as AI investment drives customers to book years ahead. The company is exploring further capacity increases. AI Materials: A Dutch AI company says its system can design polymers to specification in weeks rather than years. Water Technology: Brabant Water and Delft-based CIWI are piloting on-site production of a water-treatment chemical, using steel, salt and electrochemistry to reduce reliance on outside suppliers. Aerospace: The Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works have expanded their partnership to move advanced technologies towards operational use for the Dutch air force. Research and Universities: Wageningen topped a new global industry-research index, ahead of MIT, Harvard and Oxford. The KNAW also argues academic freedom needs constitutional protection and says politicians should limit their intervention.

Chipmaking: ASML posted record quarterly sales of €11.7 billion and raised its 2026 outlook, but warned that AI demand is straining supply through 2028 and capacity into 2030. Quantum Computing: A model tested on Dutch firm QuantWare’s processor cut single-qubit gate times by 33% while maintaining fidelity, potentially reducing demand for scarce quantum-hardware time. Digital Sovereignty: The Dutch government again blocked the sale of DigiD provider Solvinity to a US company, while a new MyCheck identity wallet is being developed with KPN and Dutch banks. AI and Society: Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and the University of Zurich warn that chatbots can blur the line between people and machines, with children particularly at risk.

ASML: The chip-equipment maker reported record third-quarter sales and profit, lifted its 2026 outlook and warned it cannot meet customer demand in 2027 and 2028 as AI investment surges. Research Funding: Dutch universities, research bodies and student groups are urging the government not to shrink the EU budget, arguing that a stronger Horizon Europe programme is vital to compete with the US and China. Digital Sovereignty: The Dutch coalition has launched the MyCheck digital identity wallet with banks, while the government has again blocked the sale of DigiD provider Solvinity to a US buyer. Cybersecurity: Ahold Delhaize shut some systems after a cybersecurity incident, disrupting Dutch home deliveries as cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems elsewhere in Europe raised concerns about food-supply vulnerabilities. Environment: Dutch provinces have planted only about 4,000 hectares of new forest toward a 37,000-hectare 2030 goal, with land shortages and funding delays holding back progress.

Semiconductors: ASML reported record third-quarter sales of €11.7 billion and net income of €5 billion. It expects 2026 sales of €44–45 billion. Digital Sovereignty: The Dutch government again blocked Kyndryl’s purchase of DigiD provider Solvinity, citing security concerns. KPN and Dutch banks are also developing MyCheck, a digital identity app. Networks: VodafoneZiggo is equipping technicians with portable DOCSIS 4.0 meters to test and troubleshoot its cable network. AI Infrastructure: Nebius has signed up as the first customer for VOLT’s planned €7 billion Rotterdam AI gigafactory. Industrial Tech: VDL Groep plans to invest $77 million in its Georgia operation, expanding semiconductor equipment production and creating about 120 jobs.

Cybersecurity: A refrigeration-system cyberattack disrupted hundreds of French supermarkets, with Dutch and Belgian stores also reportedly affected — a stark warning about risks to connected infrastructure. Digital Identity: KPN, Deloitte, Dutch banks and insurers are developing MyCheck, a wallet for proving identity or age and sharing verified details, designed to align with EU standards. National Security: The Dutch government upheld its veto on the sale of IT provider Solvinity to Kyndryl, citing the public interest. Semiconductors: Dutch manufacturer VDL Groep will invest $77 million in its Georgia facility, adding 120 jobs and capacity to make semiconductor equipment. Research Links: Dutch and Indonesian researchers wrapped up a conference on turning research into practical solutions, as the Netherlands plans to renew a science and education cooperation agreement. Renewable Industry: Perpetual Next signed a technology agreement to scale standardised biomethanol plants, including a planned 220,000-tonne-a-year facility in Delfzijl.

Mobility Tech: Amsterdam-based TomTom launched a self-service platform that lets automakers add EV models to its routing, charging and range services in minutes. Its EV tools now support more than six million vehicles worldwide. AI Infrastructure: Rotterdam’s planned AI gigafactory named Nebius as its first client. Separately, Amsterdam-listed SWI Group raised €800 million to expand AI and high-performance computing infrastructure in Europe and the US. Defence Technology: Dutch firm Intelic is linking drone and radar systems for Ukraine, while the Netherlands is using battlefield data from Kyiv to train its own troops. The Dutch defence ministry has also signed a letter of intent with Australian company Electro Optic Systems to develop a laser weapon for countering drones.

AI Infrastructure: Rotterdam’s planned AI gigafactory has signed Nebius as its first client, giving the Dutch project an early anchor. Climate & Agriculture: Dutch startup Proba launched an AI tool that calculates fertilizer emissions using product, production-site and field data, aiming to make supply-chain reporting more traceable. Defence Technology: The Netherlands is using Ukrainian battlefield experience to train its forces, while operational data from Ukraine could help Dutch firms and researchers develop AI models. Food Innovation: French and Dutch researchers are working on heat-tolerant strawberries as growers adapt to a warming climate. Industrial Testing: Dinnissen opened a 2,000-square-metre centre in Sevenum for testing materials and validating food and chemical processing equipment before installation. Cybersecurity: Supermarket refrigeration systems were disrupted in France, while stores in the Netherlands and Belgium also reported disruptions linked to a security issue.

Digital Markets: Polymarket is challenging the Dutch gambling authority’s ban in court, arguing its event contracts are trading products rather than gambling. A ruling could shape how prediction markets are treated across Europe. Cybersecurity: Dutch researchers and the national cyber security centre found 8,547 wind and solar installations across 35 European countries reachable online; about 181 appeared to expose interfaces with potential control functions. AI and Materials: A Dutch company is using AI to design custom polymers in weeks, while ASML and Zeiss say next-generation chipmaking technology could be ready within a decade. Defence Technology: A Dutch tech firm is using AI to help Ukraine’s drone systems communicate on the battlefield.

Cybersecurity: Dutch intelligence agencies warn that Russia is hacking civilian security cameras across Europe and Ukraine, using image-recognition tools to identify military vehicles and supplies. Quantum Research: University of Twente physicists showed that testing three photons together can reveal more about their quality than the standard two-photon test — a potential boost for photonic quantum computing. Urban Engineering: Eindhoven’s Hovenring cycle bridge lifts cyclists above a busy junction, using a cable-supported circular deck to separate bikes from motor traffic. Advanced Manufacturing: ASML and Zeiss say technology for the next generation of chipmaking could be ready in about a decade. Digital Finance: The Dutch central bank and financial regulator are calling for legal changes to help the Netherlands keep pace in tokenization. AI and Defence: A Dutch firm is developing AI that helps drone systems communicate on Ukraine’s battlefield.

Ocean Research: OceanXplorer, an 87-metre research vessel rebuilt at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam, now carries crewed submersibles and remotely operated vehicles to explore the deep sea. AI and Materials: TNO has spun out polySCOUT, a Dutch company using AI to design polymers to specification, with lab-validated candidates in weeks rather than years. Cybersecurity: Dutch intelligence says Chinese malware survived firmware patches and compromised 20,000 edge devices; Dutch researchers also reported thousands of European wind and solar systems exposed online. AI in Amsterdam: The Global AI Summit brought policymakers, researchers and industry leaders together to discuss safety, digital sovereignty and investment. Clean Energy: Dutch researchers estimate green hydrogen could cost as little as €7.20 per kilogram. Medical Technology: A Dutch court rejected shareholders’ request to investigate Philips’ handling of its sleep-apnea device recall.

Materials Innovation: Dutch AI spin-off polySCOUT says it can design and validate replacement polymers in weeks, speeding the search for materials that meet changing EU rules. TNO, which developed the technology, is a shareholder. Cleaner Mobility: Eindhoven University of Technology’s student team has built an electric car designed to capture tyre and brake particles. Simulations suggest its system could collect up to 42% of tyre particles in city driving; real-world performance remains to be tested. Privacy and Security: Hans Anders has stopped selling Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium amid privacy concerns. Separately, Dutch intelligence warned that Chinese malware survived firmware updates and compromised 20,000 edge devices. Dutch Tech Abroad: Greenhouse suppliers are shifting their China strategy from selling entire structures to advanced technology, software and system integration, where Dutch firms see room to compete.

AI and Defence: Dutch firm Intelic is using AI to connect drone and radar systems for Ukraine’s air defence. Cybersecurity: Dutch researchers warn that more than 8,500 European wind and solar systems are exposed online, raising risks for critical energy infrastructure. AI Governance: At the World Summit AI in Zaandam, Oxford professor Nigel Shadbolt urged international cooperation and shared human values to guide increasingly capable AI. Digital Sovereignty: The Dutch Tax Authority is moving Microsoft 365 data to its own servers, a step toward greater control over government information. Driver Assistance: Tesla has replaced “Full Self-Driving” with “Tesla Assisted Driving” on European websites, including the Netherlands, amid pressure to use a name that better reflects the system’s limits.

Cybersecurity: Dutch intelligence agencies warn that Chinese malware can survive firmware upgrades; it had compromised 20,000 internet-facing routers and other devices worldwide. AI Infrastructure: At Amsterdam’s World Summit AI, speakers said Europe’s push for sovereign AI depends on local data centres, power and suitable buildings. Privacy: Thirty-five Groningen cultural venues have banned AI smart glasses, citing covert recording risks, and called for national rules. High-Tech Manufacturing: A new project headquartered in Eindhoven aims to expand European production of thermal-imaging sensors and reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers. Renewable Energy Security: Dutch researchers found thousands of European wind and solar systems exposed online, highlighting cyber risks to energy infrastructure.

AI Defence: A Dutch tech firm is developing an AI system to help Ukraine’s drone defences communicate and coordinate on the battlefield. Autonomous Driving: Germany has cleared Tesla’s supervised Full Self-Driving system, renewing pressure for EU-wide approval; the Netherlands was the first European country to authorize it. Digital Policy: The Dutch central bank and regulator want legal changes to keep pace with tokenization, while the tax authority has dropped its Microsoft cloud migration in favour of its own servers and open-source software. Cybersecurity: A European review found 8,547 solar and wind systems exposed to cyber risks, prompting calls for stronger safeguards. Dutch Industry: ASML and Zeiss say next-generation chipmaking technology could be ready in about a decade. Westinghouse and Hyundai E&C have also begun front-end engineering studies for two proposed Dutch nuclear reactors.

AI Defence: Dutch company Intelic is helping Ukraine link radar, sensors and interceptor drones through its Nexus software. A test at Katwijk showed the system identifying a simulated threat; the firm has a €30 million Dutch Defence Ministry contract. Energy Cybersecurity: Researchers working with the Netherlands’ National Cyber Security Centre identified 8,547 internet-facing solar and wind systems across 35 European countries, warning that exposed controls could put power generation at risk. Chipmaking: ASML and Zeiss say technology for the next generation of chipmaking could be ready within a decade. Nuclear Plans: Hyundai E&C and Westinghouse have begun front-end engineering studies for two proposed Dutch reactors. Food Innovation: Wageningen University & Research has opened an AI-enabled facility to speed future-food development, while Dutch researchers are testing rice as a crop that could help protect sinking peatlands.

Nuclear Energy: Hyundai E&C has signed a design contract with Westinghouse for two proposed Dutch reactors, covering site reviews, project planning and local licensing requirements. Dutch Tech Deals: New York-based Zeta Global is buying Amsterdam’s Digital Audience, whose data and AI tools connect customer insights to marketing channels. Self-Driving Scrutiny: Dutch approval of Tesla’s driver-assistance system has helped open the path to an EU-wide decision, but safety researchers dispute the company’s crash-reduction claims. Digital Security: Dutch researchers say thousands of European wind and solar systems are exposed online, highlighting risks to clean-energy infrastructure. Materials Innovation: Delft-developed self-healing concrete, which uses bacteria to seal small cracks, is heading to a major U.S. industry showcase.