IBM has opened its first quantum computing center in Europe in Ehningen, Germany. The opening was celebrated in the presence of Chancellor Olaf Scholz and several European industry leaders.

The new quantum computing center in Ehningen is the second of its kind from IBM worldwide and the first outside the USA. This facility is part of IBM’s broader strategy to expand its quantum computing capabilities globally and make them accessible via the cloud. The data center has two IBM Quantum Eagle systems already in use. An IBM Quantum Heron system will be added soon.

The new IBM systems in the European data center can perform calculations that traditional computers have difficulty with. This opens the door to the use of more complex algorithms and offers new opportunities for research and development in various sectors. Companies and research institutions that are connected to the IBM Quantum Network can access these systems. This network includes more than 250 companies and institutions worldwide, including more than 80 in Europe.

Benefits for European companies and institutions

Numerous European companies and research institutions already have access to IBM’s quantum computers, including Crédit Mutuel, Bosch, E.ON and the Volkswagen Group. The new data center offers them the opportunity to access advanced quantum computers locally, helping to comply with European data protection regulations. In addition, companies can benefit from national and European funding for research into quantum technologies.

For example, Bosch uses quantum computers to develop new materials for sustainable, CO2-free mobility. E.ON is researching the possibilities of quantum computing to accelerate the energy transition through optimization and complex scenario modeling. Volkswagen relies on the use of quantum computing for traffic optimization and material science, which can contribute to more sustainable mobility.

With the opening of the new data center, IBM wants to support European companies and institutions in the search for applications of quantum algorithms. Through the IBM Quantum Platform, users worldwide can now access IBM’s quantum computers and work on developing the next generation of quantum algorithms.