ASML CEO meets with top executives of Samsung, SK hynix
Dutch manufacturer of chip equipment ASML on Wednesday opened a new office complex in South Korea, expanding its research and development efforts and operations in the country as it seeks closer cooperation with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in advanced chipmaking.
Traveling to Korea, ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet attended the opening ceremony of the company's new Hwaseong campus in Gyeonggi Province and met Samsung Electronics Vice Chair Jun Young-hyun, according to industry officials. Fouquet also met with SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung the previous day.
ASML is the world's sole producer of the extreme ultraviolet lithography machines essential for producing chips at the most advanced nodes, including the 2-nanometer process and below.
"Our decision to locate in Hwaseong is highly strategic. Our new campus is a symbol of our commitment to our customers in Korea, innovation, sustainability and growth," Fouquet said. "Hwaseong is close to major semiconductor manufacturers. Being here enables closer collaboration, faster support and more effective technology transfer — especially as chipmaking becomes more complex.”
The new facility, built with an investment of about 240 billion won ($164 million) between 2021 and 2025, sits on a 16,000-square-meter site and comprises two buildings with 11 above-ground and four underground floors, equipped with maintenance facilities and training centers for deep ultraviolet and extreme ultraviolet lithography technologies, the company said.
ASML Korea said it is currently relocating personnel and equipment to the site. Once the transition is completed by the end of 2025, around 1,500 employees will work together at Hwaseong campus.
South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the new campus would bolster collaboration between ASML and domestic chipmakers, creating a “mutually beneficial model” linking global suppliers and local materials and equipment firms.
“Close cooperation between local, central and international partners is vital for advancing Korea’s semiconductor industry,” said Kang Kam-chan, director general for trade and investment at the ministry. “Today’s ceremony shows that collaboration in action, and I look forward to even stronger ties between Korea and the Netherlands in the future."
ASML’s expanded footprint is expected to accelerate its 1.2 trillion won joint research and development project with Samsung to advancing under-2-nanometer process technologies using higher numerical aperture EUV machines. The two companies agreed to establish a joint EUV research lab in the Seoul metropolitan area in December 2023.
The High-NA EUV machines are deemed crucial for next-generation logic and memory production, and are in high demand, with only seven to eight units produced annually. Each unit costs about 550 billion won — roughly 80 percent more than conventional EUV machines — and is expected to significantly enhance chip performance and cost efficiency.
Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. have already adopted the technology, while SK hynix installed its first High-NA EUV tool at its Icheon M16 fab in September. Samsung reportedly plans to deploy one unit of the advanced equipment this year, and an additional one in the first half of next year.
Industry officials expect Fouquet to meet with Samsung Electronics Chair Lee Jae-yong as well as SK Group Chair Chey Tae-won during his Korea trip. Lee has previously visited the ASML headquarters on trips to Europe, while Chey also visited in December 2023.
herim@heraldcorp.com
