Chip equipment maker ASM International (ASMI) is to invest hundreds of millions of euros in a new location in Almere, the company has announced.

The new campus, partly located on the former Floriade flower show site, will house ASMI’s new head office, a research and development centre and a specialised training facility. Plans also include an “ultra-clean” environment for product development.

King’s commissioner Arjen Gerritsen called the investment one of the largest economic projects in the history of Flevoland.

“The arrival of ASMI at the High Tech Campus is one of the biggest investments our province has ever seen,” he told broadcaster NOS. “We are proud of this choice and will do everything we can to make Almere’s high-tech hub a success.”

ASM International, which is a different company from Eindhoven-based chip firm ASML, already has its head office elsewhere in Almere, operates in 16 countries and employs more than 4,500 people worldwide.

“The success of this project will hinge on factors such as access to skilled talent, a stable and favourable investment climate, reliable energy supply, strong infrastructure and a dynamic local ecosystem – essential elements for creating a world-class innovation hub,” ASM International said in a statement.

The total cost of the campus has not been disclosed. The local council has approved €1.3 million to draw up plans and prepare the land, and has set aside a further €6 million to cover potential risks, NOS said.