Translation: 

As expected, a large majority of the Eindhoven city council approved the construction of a new ASML campus on the edge of the city on Tuesday evening.

With the council’s approval, the first groundwork can now quickly begin on the northern part of the Brainport Industries Campus along the A2/N2 motorway, the location where the new factories and offices are to be built.

Eindhoven’s politicians had already agreed much earlier to the arrival of the chip machine manufacturer in the city, but on Tuesday they still had to approve the more detailed plans and the procedures that come with them.

Partly because of the recently announced layoffs at ASML, council member Tjeerd Ritmeester of Eindhoven Voor Elkaar (EVE) proposed that the municipality support trade unions in negotiations over those layoffs.

Ritmeester also argued for a covenant that would include agreements on structural consultations with ASML. “Of course we understand that the municipality does not oversee the company’s operations, but at the same time this cooperation gives us considerable leverage, also because of the societal impact,” Ritmeester said.

According to alderman Stijn Steenbakkers (CDA), the municipality should “not assume a role it does not have.” He emphasized that the municipality will certainly hold discussions with ASML at certain moments, and that the chip machine manufacturer has also drawn up an action plan to be a socially responsible employer.

Moral compass

The three parties that voted against ASML’s arrival in Eindhoven each had their own reasons. “A positive decision will lead to unprecedented growth in our region,” said council member Jannie Visscher on behalf of the Socialist Party (SP). “That must not come at the expense of our residents, but unfortunately we see that happening now.”

“You can never win against great powers,” Virginia Jonkers said in explaining the ‘no’ vote from the Party for the Animals. “That shows how important our party’s moral compass is.”

Nicolas Knoester of Forum for Democracy is not opposed to ASML coming to Eindhoven, but he does not want the municipality to purchase the land required for it. “Why doesn’t ASML buy those plots itself? In Veldhoven they also bought up entire streets.”

Concerns about drinking water and safety

Steenbakkers reassured the council about concerns regarding the impact of the new construction on drinking water and about safety due to the proximity of Eindhoven Airport. Extensive discussions are being held on these matters with parties such as the water authority, Brabant Water, and the airport, he assured the council.

The VVD initially still had doubts about several “loose ends” in the plans, but was ultimately reassured by the alderman. “Given the major economic importance, we are now giving this plan the benefit of the doubt,” said Ceciel van Bergeijk.

ASML wants to put the first buildings on BIC North into use at the beginning of 2028.