Lithography machine giant ASML factory burst into flames! Global core shortage exacerbated?

Recently, asML, a Dutch semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, said that a fire broke out at its factory in Berlin, Germany, on January 2, and the fire has been extinguished and no one has been injured.

In the context of the global chip shortage has not yet been significantly alleviated, any wind and grass in the supply chain will affect the market nerves. Some people in the industry are worried that this fire may further lengthen the global core shortage time.

In response, ASML said it was too early to make any statement on the damage or whether the event would have any impact on this year's production plan, adding that it would take several days to assess the damage and that the information would be updated as soon as possible. ASML does not mention how long the closed area will be closed, nor does it indicate whether other suppliers are able to temporarily replenish the parts in question.

It is understood that ASML supplies downstream wafer foundries, including TSMC, Samsung, Intel and so on. At present, ASML is still one of the few companies in the world to manufacture chip lithography machines. Lithography machines are critical in chip production, with only ASML currently available for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV), which is mainly used to produce chips for 7nm and more advanced processes. If the shipment of ASML lithography machines is delayed, it may impact chip factory customers who are trying to increase production capacity.

Despite ASML's efforts to downplay the impact of the fire, some analysts said the asml accident at its Berlin plant in Germany could lengthen the duration of the global chip shortage. Foreign media reported that as ANML Berlin factory produces key components of the micro shadow equipment, if the company's shipments are reduced by 10% because of this accident, it may lead to a reduction in the global supply of micro shadow tools by about 8.4%. Analyst Matthew Bryson commented that the fires could limit ASML production at least in the short term, thereby hindering planned foundry production.