Samsung Electronics and ASML signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to jointly invest 1 trillion won ($762 million) to build a research center in South Korea to develop cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing technology using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines. In addition to Samsung Electronics, another South Korean chip giant, SK Hynix, has also reached an agreement with ASML. The two parties will cooperate to develop hydrogen recovery technology to reduce energy consumption and save costs during the chip manufacturing process.
ASML is a Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. It is the only extreme ultraviolet lithography equipment manufacturer in the world. The company has operations in 16 countries.
In 1996, the company opened its first office in South Korea. Currently, the company has factories in Hwaseong, Icheon and Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province and Cheongju in Chungcheongbuk Province.
It is reported that Samsung Electronics, Intel, TSMC, etc. have all purchased the company's extreme ultraviolet lithography equipment, which is necessary for the mass production of advanced semiconductors from 5 nanometers to 7 nanometers and below. According to reports, as of last year, TSMC's manufacturing plant in Taiwan had about 100 EUV equipment, while Samsung had about 40 EUV equipment.
Currently, global chip manufacturers are competing for orders for EUV equipment from ASML, which is in tight supply. Last year, the company sold 42 EUV equipment, each priced between 250 billion and 300 billion won.
At the end of September this year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a latest survey report stating that ASML may significantly reduce its extreme ultraviolet lithography machine shipment forecast by about 20-30%. He believes that the reason for the sharp decline in shipments is mainly the end of home office demand and the gradual decline in the appeal of new specifications (Apple Silicon chips and Mini-LED displays) to users.