asml and imec unite to drive sub-2nm chip tech in europe
veldhoven, Tuesday, 11 March 2025.
asml and imec are joining forces in a five-year strategic partnership. The collaboration focuses on advancing semiconductor research and promoting sustainable innovation in europe. asml’s complete product portfolio, including euv lithography, will be installed in imec’s pilot line for sub-2nm r&d. this collaboration aims to push the boundaries of chip manufacturing. The project is supported by the eu chips act nanoic pilot line. Funding comes from multiple sources, including the chips joint undertaking and the european union’s digital europe program.
strategic goals
The partnership has dual objectives [3]. It aims to advance solutions for the semiconductor industry [1][3]. It also seeks to develop sustainable innovation initiatives [1][3]. Research will concentrate on sub-2nm R&D, silicon photonics, memory, and advanced packaging [3]. This supports future semiconductor-based AI applications [3]. ASML’s President and CEO, Christophe Fouquet, stated this agreement marks the next step in the longstanding cooperation between ASML and imec [1][2][3]. He added that it signals their joint ambitions to develop solutions for the semiconductor industry [1][2][3].
tool deployment and funding
ASML’s full product portfolio will be incorporated into the collaboration [1]. This includes 0.55 NA EUV, 0.33 NA EUV, DUV immersion, YieldStar optical metrology, and HMI technologies [1][2][3]. These tools will be installed in imec’s pilot line and NanoIC pilot line [1][3]. Funding originates from ASML, the Chips Joint Undertaking, the Flemish government, and the Dutch government [1][3]. The NanoIC pilot line receives joint funding from the Chips Joint Undertaking through the European Union’s Digital Europe and Horizon Europe programs, along with contributions from Belgium, France, Germany, Finland, Ireland, and Romania [1][3].
market position and technological leadership
The collaboration is expected to strengthen ASML’s market position [GPT]. ASML is already a leading supplier to the semiconductor industry [2]. The partnership allows ASML to maintain its technological leadership [1][2][3]. ASML has over 44,000 employees [2]. Imec has over 5,500 employees [2][3]. In 2022, imec’s revenue totaled €846 million [2][3]. Luc Van den hove, President and CEO at imec, said they are excited to continue their unique partnership with ASML [1][2][3]. He noted that it has offered the industry access to the most advanced patterning solutions for over 30 years [1][2][3].