asml and imec team up to push semiconductor tech forward

2025-03-12 asml

Leuven, Wednesday, 12 March 2025.
asml and imec have extended their partnership. The focus is on semiconductor research and sustainable solutions. asml will install its cutting-edge tech at imec’s european pilot line. This collaboration seeks to boost chip manufacturing. The ultimate goal is to develop sub-2nm chips. The partnership has secured substantial funding. Around €1.4 billion comes from eu programs. An additional €1.1 billion is from private investors, including asml. The collaboration aims to drive innovation in chip tech while supporting sustainable practices.

strategic focus

The five-year agreement emphasizes semiconductor advancement and sustainability [1][2][3]. ASML’s product range, including 0.55 NA EUV, 0.33 NA EUV, DUV immersion, YieldStar metrology, and HMI technologies, will be used [1]. These tools will be installed at imec’s NanoIC pilot line [1]. This pilot line was established under the European Chips Act [1]. Research and development will focus on silicon photonics, memory, advanced packaging, and AI applications [1]. The partnership aims to provide the semiconductor ecosystem with advanced research and development capabilities [1].

leadership perspectives

Christophe Fouquet, ASML’s CEO, views this agreement as a continuation of the long-standing collaboration, highlighting their shared ambition to develop semiconductor solutions [1][5]. Luc Van den hove, president and CEO at imec, notes that the inclusion of ASML’s portfolio will enhance the pilot line’s capabilities [1]. He added that this will address the challenges of AI-driven advancements [1]. The collaboration builds upon their joint lab in Veldhoven, which has already achieved breakthroughs in chipmaking [1].

market position and stock implications

This partnership reinforces ASML’s market position as the primary supplier of EUV lithography machines [1]. These machines are essential for producing advanced chips [1]. The collaboration ensures ASML remains at the forefront of semiconductor technology [1]. ASML’s technological leadership is further solidified by its involvement in developing sub-2nm chips [1]. The focus on sustainability also aligns with increasing investor interest in environmentally responsible companies, potentially boosting ASML’s stock [2][3].

Bronnen

euv lithography semiconductor research