Lithography giant ASML said it still has not obtained a license to export the latest lithography machine to China

Peter Wynick, CEO of Dutch lithography giant ASML, said on Jan. 19 that as of now the company has not yet obtained permission to export the latest lithography machines to China for manufacturing chips, Reuters reported.

【ASML lithography machine in assembly】

Asma is a major manufacturer of lithography systems, which are mainly used to make chips. According to previous reports, under pressure from the U.S. government, the Dutch government refused to grant Asmai permission to export these machines on the grounds that the machines were considered "dual-use" goods for military use.

According to previous reports, after the release of the third quarter of 2020 earnings, Roger Dassen, executive vice president and CFO of Asma, said in an interview that if Asmail sold DUV (deep ultraviolet) lithography systems from the Netherlands to Chinese customers, it would not need an export license. However, if parts and systems involving the United States are exported directly to Chinese customers, they must obtain an export license according to the requirements of the United States. This means that the more advanced EUV (extremely deep ultraviolet) lithography machine than THE DUV really cannot be sold directly to China.

Asma plans to increase its production capacity to 55 EUV lithography devices in 2022 and reach more than 60 per year by 2023. In contrast, the company produced 35 EUV lithography machines in 2020.

Peter Wynick said he believes it is unlikely that China will currently master top-of-the-line lithography on its own, as Asmak relies on "relentless innovation" and integrates components that only non-Chinese suppliers can obtain.

He also said that China will not always be unable to master top-level lithography technology. "Because of the laws of physics we know, Chinese know, they will definitely try to master the technology," he said. Never say it too absolutely. They're definitely trying. ”

According to the financial report of the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the top three equipment shipments of Asmail are South Korea (accounting for 39%), Taiwan (accounting for 36%), and Chinese mainland (accounting for 17%), and the company shipped a total of 72 sets of lithography systems (including 9 EUV) in the quarter.