The Netherlands chooses to be clear!ASML spoke quickly, and SMIC officially responded.
Previously, there were rumors that the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands had reached a tripartite agreement to jointly impose restrictions on advanced chip manufacturing equipment. However, somewhat surprisingly, the three parties did not release anything about the agreement to the public. As a result, the agreement has caused some speculation.
Of these, the Japanese side tends to impose restrictions in a moderate manner, while the Dutch side is reluctant to mention them publicly, but it seems that we are all underestimating the tripartite agreement. After the news of Japan's restrictions**, the Netherlands also made a choice.
The Netherlands will introduce new restrictions.
Now it seems that the three parties did not immediately announce the news after reaching the agreement, and the United States did not want to provoke Japan and the Netherlands, which should not be willing at first, and Japan and the Netherlands should also have to weigh the pros and cons, so it will take time to consider.
After that, the Japanese side took the initiative to disclose the actual restrictions in the relevant news, and planned to revise the law in the spring to restrict the export of equipment needed for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Some time ago, relevant Japanese experts revealed the relevant details of the restrictions more directly.
Japan's new rules may restrict the flow of talent to China, but they will also prevent the retention of previously ** products.
The part of the Japanese side that applies information restrictions is basically clear, will there be any surprises in the Netherlands?Of course not, some time ago there was also news about restrictions in the Netherlands, which plans to implement new restrictions on the export of semiconductor technology to protect ***
The news comes from a letter from the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade to Parliament, which shows that the Netherlands will cooperate with the United States to implement export controls on advanced chip manufacturing equipment, and hopes to introduce this restriction as soon as possible before the summer of 2023.
At this point, the dust has settled, the Japanese side has no doubts, and now the Dutch side has also made a choice.
ASML was quick to issue a statement.
Due to the imminent introduction of new restrictions on the Dutch side, lithography technology giant ASML reacted quickly by issuing a statement related to export restrictions through its official **. It clearly emphasizes that the new regulations are mainly aimed at advanced chip manufacturing technologies.
New regulations in the Netherlands will limit state-of-the-art deposition and immersion lithography tools, ASML will in a statement"State-of-the-art"The scope is interpreted as:"Critical Immersion", TwinsCannxt:2000i and subsequent immersion systems.
ASML currently sells three main immersion lithography machines, the 2050i, 2000i and 1980di.
Still, if the restrictions come into effect, the first two models will be restricted, and the last model will still be able to ship. This 1980DI has a resolution of less than or equal to 38 nm, refers to a single pass** only, and can support up to 7 nm multiple times**.
TSMC's first-generation 7nm process was achieved with it, but the cost was too high and the yield rate was too low to be applicable. Therefore, the immersion DUV lithography machine 1980DI is mainly used for the production of mature processes at 14nm and above.
ASML has made it clear that customers focused on mature nodes can use the machine, and also said that it will have no impact on revenue and the long-term situation in 2023. Of course, the significance of this is very obvious, that is, the cooperation with Chinese companies in the mainland market will not be affected.
SMIC also officially responded.
In addition, ASML also mentioned that if you want to ship the most advanced immersion DUV system, you need to apply for an export license, and EUVs have been restricted from export since 2019. The significance of this is also obvious, and it should be difficult to apply for a permit.
For the Netherlands' upcoming new regulations to restrict the shipment of immersion DUV lithography machines, SMIC should have the greatest impact on our Chinese companies, because it is currently the most advanced chip manufacturing technology in mainland China and can achieve mass production of 14nm.
In this regard, a reporter asked whether the new regulations in the Netherlands will have an impact on SMIC, and SMIC replied.
SMIC officials said that the company's current production and operation are normal and have not received relevant warnings. However, it was previously reported in the news that SMIC's mass production was delayed by one to two quarters due to the non-delivery of throttling equipment.
According to analysis, this throttling equipment is likely to be a lithography machine. However, SMIC's capital projects are geared towards mature processes of 28nm and beyond, and judging by the statements released by ASML, there is no problem with the use of Type 1980DI immersion DUVs.
SMIC's other projects are also for mature processes at 28nm and beyond, so they should not be affected by the new Dutch regulations.
In addition, not only SMIC, but also domestic wafer factories such as Yangtze River Storage and Hua Hong Semiconductor have previously purchased this immersion DUV lithography machine, and ASML has upgraded this lithography machine with better performance than the previous model.
According to ASML's statements to date, our lithography and after-sales services in terms of mature processes will not be affected. However, due to the limitations of our development in advanced technology, it seems that we can only wait for the breakthrough of domestic lithography machines!