🏢 Overview of ASML

 

🏢 Overview of ASML

• Full Name: ASML Holding N.V.

• Founded: 1984

• Headquarters: Veldhoven, Netherlands

• CEO: Peter Wennink (as of 2025)

• Employees: Over 40,000 globally

• Industry: Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing

• Core Products: EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography machines, DUV (Deep UV) machines

ASML is the only company in the world that has successfully commercialized EUV lithography, a key technology required for manufacturing advanced semiconductor chips (7nm, 5nm, 3nm, and beyond).

사진출처:thehindu.com

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🔬 What is Lithography?

Lithography is the process of "printing" circuit patterns onto silicon wafers using light.

ASML manufactures two main types of lithography machines:

1. DUV (Deep Ultraviolet)

• Uses 193nm light wavelength

• Still widely used for mature and mid-node process nodes

• Supplied to companies like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel

2. EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet)

• Uses 13.5nm wavelength

• Essential for sub-7nm nodes (5nm, 3nm, and beyond)

• Only ASML has developed EUV lithography for commercial use

EUV is a cornerstone technology in chips for smartphones, AI, GPUs, and servers.

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🌍 Market Position

• Global market share in lithography tools: ~90%

• EUV machines: 100% monopoly

• ASML's customers include:

  • TSMC

  • Samsung Electronics

  • Intel

  • Micron

  • SK hynix

Former competitors like Nikon and Canon have fallen far behind in high-end technology.

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💡 Key Technology & Machine Facts

• EUV uses laser-produced plasma (LPP) to create extreme ultraviolet light at 13.5nm

• Requires ultra-precise mirrors developed with Zeiss (Germany)

• One EUV machine can cost up to $200 million

• Assembly takes 12–18 months and requires shipping in dozens of containers

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📈 Revenue & Performance

Year	Revenue	Net Profit	Key Drivers
2020	€14B	€3.6B	EUV adoption ramp
2022	€21B	€5.9B	3nm node production by TSMC & Samsung
2024	€28B (estimated)	~€8B	U.S. & EU semiconductor investment boom

ASML's growth directly reflects the global push toward advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

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⚙️ What is High-NA EUV?

• Next-generation EUV technology

• "NA" stands for Numerical Aperture, increased from 0.33 to 0.55

• Allows ~70% better resolution → supports 2nm and below

• First shipments expected in 2024–2025

• Intel is the first major buyer for High-NA EUV systems

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🌐 Geopolitical & Export Control Factors

• ASML's EUV machines are restricted from export to China

• The Dutch government and the U.S. government have imposed export controls

• Even some DUV machines are now restricted

• China is trying to develop domestic alternatives, but is years behind in capability

ASML is a strategic asset in the geopolitical tech war between the U.S. and China.

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🤝 Major Partners & Customers

Partner	Relationship
TSMC	Largest buyer of ASML EUV tools
Samsung	Uses EUV in 3nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) chips
Intel	First customer for High-NA EUV
Zeiss	Co-developer of the world’s most advanced optical mirrors

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🔗 Supply Chain & Complexity

• One EUV machine contains over 100,000 parts

• Built with contributions from 800+ suppliers worldwide

• Final assembly and tuning is done at the customer’s fab site

• Machines are too sensitive to fly by air, requiring sea transport in containers

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🔮 Future Outlook

• ASML is expected to remain critical to:

  • 2nm and 1.4nm process technologies

  • AI chip production (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD)

  • National semiconductor independence efforts (e.g., U.S. CHIPS Act, EU Chips Act)

• Key growth areas:

  • High-NA EUV

  • Emerging markets (India, Vietnam)

  • Services & maintenance for installed base

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✅ Summary Table

Category	Details
Company	ASML Holding N.V.
Founded	1984
HQ	Veldhoven, Netherlands
Industry	Semiconductor Lithography Equipment
Technology	DUV, EUV, High-NA EUV
Market Share	~90% in lithography, 100% in EUV
Key Customers	TSMC, Samsung, Intel
Strategic Role	Tech bottleneck, geopolitical asset

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📌 Final Thoughts

ASML is the most important company you've never heard of — a technological linchpin in the semiconductor supply chain. Without ASML, no company can manufacture the world's most advanced chips.

Its monopolistic control over EUV and now High-NA EUV gives it a unique position of power, influencing the future of technology, geopolitics, and the global economy.