ASML to work with Samsung, Taiwanese tech company to advance machines

Computer chip machine manufacturer ASML has started collaborating with its biggest clients on the development of their most advanced chip machines. The Veldhoven-based company is exploring the use of larger reticles in its machines alongside Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung. The initiative aims to boost manufacturer productivity when producing the most advanced semiconductors.

ASML is hoping to begin trials with the innovative system by 2031. It is meant for the newest type of chip machines. The target is for the larger reticles to be used two years later to help with the production of the most advanced chips.

In chipmaking machinery, reticles serve as a blueprint for printing circuit patterns onto semiconductors. Thus far, they are a standard six inches, but the target is to make reticles of 12 inches.

ASML also thinks this could lead to lower costs of production. The rapid advancement of AI applications has driven a global shortage of memory chips, pushing prices significantly higher.

In joint press releases, TSMC and Samsung also committed to timelines for adopting ASML’s most advanced chipmaking equipment. Known as High-NA EUV lithography machines, these systems are significantly more expensive than the previous generation, raising long-standing questions over whether clients would find the benefits substantial enough to justify the higher price tag.

Samsung now says it plans to introduce the new technology in 2028 for the mass production of DRAM memory chips. TSMC intends to deploy High-NA EUV technology starting in 2030. Intel previously purchased the machine, which projects chip designs at a higher resolution to enhance both performance and manufacturing speeds.