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Samsung to Invest 10 Trillion Won in Semiconductor Equipment, Bulk Purchase of ASML EUV Lithography

Update time : 2023-12-12 11:35:14

South Korea's Electronics News Today reports that Samsung plans to import more ASML extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment. Although specific details could not be disclosed due to confidentiality clauses in the contract, stock market sources said the agreement will enable ASML to provide a total of 50 sets of equipment over five years at a unit price of about 200 billion won each, for a total value of up to 10 trillion won.

It is unclear whether the products under contract are existing EUV lithography equipment or next-generation "High NA EUV" lithography equipment. However, the biggest problem with the current EUV lithography equipment is its limited production capacity. According to officials, it is "more complex than a satellite component," and only a limited number of units can be produced each year. Last year it was said to be 40 units, and this year ASML estimates that it will be 60 units. There are currently five manufacturers that need and can purchase EUV lithography equipment: Samsung Electronics, TSMC, Intel, SK Hynix and Micron. Of these, TSMC accounts for about 70% of the supply, with the remaining four companies vying for the remaining 30%.
Samsung Electronics, which launched the world's first 3nm foundry technology using gate-all-around (GAA) technology in June last year, has been working hard to secure more EUV lithography equipment, with the goal of entering the second generation of the 3nm generation in the first half of next year, the 2nm process in 2025, and the 1.4nm process in 2027, according to the company. That's why Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited ASML's headquarters last June to discuss EUV procurement with CEO Peter Bennink, and had further talks with Bennink during his visit to Korea in November of the same year. Given that the lead time for EUVs (from order to receipt) is at least a year, these meetings do seem to have yielded tangible results.
In fact, analysts in the semiconductor field are also positive about Samsung Electronics' plan to purchase additional EUV lithography equipment. Lee Jong-hwan, a professor of system semiconductor engineering at Shomyung University, said, "Samsung has brought in dozens of EUV lithography equipment, each said to cost about 200 billion won, which suggests that the company intends to expand its 3nm volume production opportunities and realize its 2nm plans in the future."
Previously, Samsung Electronics announced plans to have 100 EUV lithography machines by 2025. Market estimates put Samsung's current EUV fleet at around 40 machines. If these 50 machines are delivered successfully, Samsung will be able to have about 100 machines by 2028. Byung-hoon Park, the Korean representative of The Netherlands Institute of Applied Sciences (TNO), explains, "Typically, semiconductor processes can use up to 10% of each machine for process R&D and testing, and having 100 machines means they can be used for R&D around the clock." He also points out that "by having 100 machines, Samsung will be able to use them for process development and testing. He also noted that "by doing this, we will be able to ensure that there is enough process capacity to use the equipment correctly," he added, adding, "This is expected to reduce the time and cost of the process and increase yields." "Once we have a large number of (EUV) equipment and the technology stabilizes, we will be able to increase yields and make inroads into foundry work" , said Kim Yang Bang, an expert researcher at the Industrial Research Institute.

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