The impact of low-end DUV supply disruption on Chinese enterprises and ASML is highlighted, who is more serious?
As we all know, the importance of lithography machines to the semiconductor industry, especially the lithography machines produced by ASML in the Netherlands, play a pivotal role in the semiconductor industry of the whole world.
However, not long ago, the Netherlands announced an export license for ASML's lithography machines, which prevents it from selling NXT:2000 i and higher underwater deep diving DUV products to Chinese mainland. Now, the scope of this export control is wider, and even low-cost underwater deep ultraviolet lamps will stop ** domestic chips.
According to the annual performance report released by ASML some time ago, the number of DUV lithography machines produced by local Chinese companies is limited, and these products mainly include: NXT: 1970 I and 1980 I.
The Netherlands has increased export controls to China, and even some domestic chip manufacturers will stop the first-class low-cost underwater DUV, is it Chinese companies or ASML that will be hit harder? Follow this article for further research on it.
First, the impact on Chinese enterprises.
First, let's take a look at immersion deep ultraviolet lithography, which is currently the most commonly used advanced processing technology in the 14 nm to 7 nm range, and is an essential part of integrated circuit fabrication.
In the integrated circuit manufacturing process, lithography machines require higher accuracy and more stable performance. The underwater deep ultraviolet machine (DUV) has a high technical threshold and a large market demand, which is an indispensable core equipment for major semiconductor manufacturers in China.
For China's semiconductor companies, deep ultraviolet lithography machines are the core equipment for high-end integrated circuit production, and high-end processes such as 28nm are also inseparable from underwater deep ultraviolet light sources.
However, due to the strict control of deep ultraviolet lithography machines in the Netherlands, Chinese companies cannot obtain high-quality deep ultraviolet lithography equipment, which seriously restricts the company's production capacity and capacity. This is a huge shock for Chinese companies as they look to make breakthroughs in advanced machining processes.
And those top domestic semiconductor companies, because there is no DUV technology, or in other words, their technology, will be affected. Moreover, it can also lead to technical bottlenecks, production delays, market share declines, and so on.
At the same time, it will also cause China's chip industry to be far behind by countries around the world in some important core technologies, and the distance from the world is getting bigger and bigger.
Naturally, China's semiconductor companies will not sit idly by. In the face of export control, Chinese enterprises must speed up product development and technological innovation. The implementation of this project will help China make a major breakthrough in core equipment such as lithography and reduce its dependence on imports.
Second, the role of ASML.
At the same time, ASML's loss in China will also have some impact on the company's operations. As the world's largest consumer of semiconductors, China needs a large number of core equipment, such as lithography technology. If this market is lost, ASML's sales and profitability will suffer to some extent.
However, keep in mind that ASML has its own consumers and markets all over the world, so its business roots remain strong. But China is ASML's biggest revenue**, and if it loses this market, ASML probably won't be able to come back.
At the same time, ASML is actively looking for a diversified business model to meet the challenges of export control.
For example, we will develop a new generation of lithography machine technology, expand overseas markets, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with international organizations such as the United States. These initiatives will help ASML maintain its competitiveness worldwide and reduce its dependence on China.
It should be noted, however, that while ASML is struggling to overcome the problems arising from export controls, it still encounters some uncertainties in its operations.
The export control not only directly restricts the sales of the product in China, but also causes imitation and imitation in other countries or regions, which further increases the operating pressure of ASML. In addition, if Chinese semiconductor companies can make technological breakthroughs, it will also have an impact on ASML's management.
III. Conclusion. In general, Chinese semiconductor companies are under the control of the Netherlands over low-cost immersion deep ultraviolet machines. This will have a great impact on the company's production efficiency and product quality, and even cause the technical lag of the product, thereby reducing the competitiveness of the enterprise in the market.
But at the same time, it will also promote Chinese enterprises to accelerate independent research and technological innovation, and promote the coordinated development of industries. This is not good news for ASML, but it is expected that more competitive competitors will emerge in the future. In addition, ASML's loss in China will also have some impact on the company's operation, and if it loses this market, it will be difficult to recover.
Therefore, the Netherlands will have a different degree of impact on Chinese companies and ASML.