At present, in the case of global core shortage, the demand for lithography machines, especially EUV lithography machines, has risen sharply. However, as we all know, EUV lithography machines are basically in the type that is difficult to buy no matter how much money they have due to limited production capacity.
The current demand for chips in the mainland is also very large, of course, although the global lack of cores, the demand for low-end chips has risen sharply, but the lack of cores is only temporary, and high-end chips are actually the mainstream of the future. Therefore, the mainland actually has a strong demand for EUV lithography machines. At present, there are many optimistic remarks in the field of public opinion, but in fact, they are somewhat self-soothing.
Speaking of EUV lithography machine and continental, then we have to mention that in fact, in 2018, SMIC paid as Amer to order an EUV lithography machine. However, with a recent official announcement from Asmail, SMIC may be disappointed.
So, what kind of adverse impact will Asmail's statement have on SMIC? Asmail said that he wanted to let the mainland wait patiently, and he was trying his best to obtain the shipment license for the mainland EUV lithography machine, so is it possible for SMIC to wait in the future?
Asmail officially announced that SMIC is afraid to be disappointed
Recently, Asmail CEO Peter Wen publicly said positively that Asmer can currently use to manufacture the latest lithography machine for chips, that is, the EUV lithography machine has not yet obtained a license to export to the mainland, that is to say, at present, Asmel's EUV lithography machine can not be freely shipped to the mainland.
Of course, for this news, Win Peter also made a corresponding explanation, that is, the EUV lithography machine assembly parts have American technology, in this case, Asmail also had to act according to the meaning of the United States. Since Asmael himself made a public statement, it should be very authentic.
Asmail's public statement also proves one thing, that is, Asmail is currently unable to fulfill SMIC's previous order for EUV lithography machines that have not yet arrived for $120 million. Moreover, Asmail's statement is actually equivalent to saying that the inability to cash in on the order of SMIC four years ago is not Asmail's problem, but the United States does not allow it, and Asmail is also helpless.
I have to say that Asmail's statement may disappoint TSMC, originally, Asmail has repeatedly said in public that it will try to fight for the shipment license of the mainland EUV lithography machine as much as possible, such a statement should also let SMIC see hope, and now, such hope has become very slim, how can SMIC not be disappointed?
This statement from Asmail indicates that SMIC will not import asmail EUV lithography machines for at least a long time in the future, so what adverse effects will it bring to SMIC?
What impact does Asmail's announcement have on SMIC?
If it is impossible to import EUV lithography machines, then SMIC has no way to produce high-end chips, and can only undertake foundry orders for low-end chips. And peerSMC and Samsung are producing high-end chips. In this way, with the failure of SMIC's EUV lithography machine imports, at the moment when high-end chips become the future trend, SMIC's own market competitiveness will also be greatly weakened, which is not conducive to SMIC's future development and progress
In addition, high-end chips are indeed higher than low-end chips at least in terms of scientific and technological attributes, so that high-end chip orders, that is, the foundry price of high-end chips, will at least be much richer than low-end chips. Today, Asmail's statement can be said to be a direct proof that SMIC will not be able to get high-end chip orders in the future. In this way, I am afraid that there will be no small adverse impact on SMIC's economic interests.
Of course, for this EUV lithography machine, Asmail did not completely say the words to death, but said that it will help the mainland to obtain shipping permission as much as possible, so can SMIC wait for the future?
Can SMIC wait?
In fact, SMIC is still likely to wait in the future, Asmail has successfully produced a Lithography Machine with a Na value of 0.55, which is more advanced than the current EUV lithography machine with a Na value of 0.33. Wait until the new lithography machine is successfully mass-produced.
At present, this type of EUV lithography machine is not considered the most advanced equipment, and the United States is naturally likely to open the shipment license of the current EUV lithography machine. SMIC may not be unable to wait for the day when Asmail delivers on its promises. Of course, everything can not be too absolute.
Whether it is a new type of lithography machine or the current lithography machine, can produce high-end chips, we all know that the lack of core will always pass, the future is the stage of high-end chips, as the same can produce high-end chips of the current lithography machine, the United States may actually be in order to limit the development of mainland enterprises in the international market, do not open shipping restrictions. So, from this point of view, SMIC may not be able to wait.
summary
Asmail officially pointed out that it is currently impossible to successfully realize the shipment freedom of the continental EUV lithography machine, and has also made public occasions to say that the mainland has waited, then, as an order for the Asmal EUV lithography machine, the delay in arriving at SMIC, the future as to whether it can wait until as far as Asmel to fulfill its promise, everything is still undecided.