The export licenses for both models of DUVs were revoked, and ASML said it had delivered them all.
Entering 2024, Lao Mei is starting to be restless, does this open a gap for Chinese companies?
According to ASML's official news, the export license models of the two DUV lithography machines have been withdrawn, which also leads to the acquisition of 2023 and two DUV lithography machine models from Chinese companies, which will be a bamboo basket for nothing, empty waiting for a year, this year has not waited!
The two lithography machines, the NXT: 2050i and the NXT: 2100i, are also considered to be ASML's most advanced DUV lithography machines with a resolution of 38nm. These two lithography machines can be used not only to manufacture mature chips and memories, but also to manufacture chips at 7nm or even 5nm through multi-technology technology. And this is perhaps the main reason why the former United States urgently withdrew the export of these two DUV lithography machines!
As we all know, the launch of the Huawei Mate60 Pro series can be described as"The strongest counterattack of 2023"In the midst of the encirclement, Huawei was able to break through technology"Neck", magnificently brought the 7nm Kirin chip. 9000s, this is undoubtedly a provocation and a counterattack to American hegemony. Until some time ago, the outside world could not know who was making chips for Huawei, and how the Kirin 9000s was made!
However, due to the fact that the manufacture of advanced chips cannot bypass lithography technology, restricting the export of advanced lithography technology has become one of the main ways for the United States to vent its anger! In fact, the restrictions on the export of lithography technology from the United States have been changing, from 14 nanometers to 7 nanometers and 5 nanometers, which shows that the United States is also a little panicked!
The equivalent of Chinese mainland customers who can produce advanced 7nm EUV lithography machines and next-generation chips has closed the door directly, and only a few Western companies do not look at DUV lithography machines"Obsolete", they will allow exports to Chinese companies, but they did not expect that the DUV lithography machine with an accuracy of 38nm will also be favored by the United States, which is terrible! It's horrible.
However, what is a little comforting is that ASML also issued a statement saying that in 2023, almost all the lithography machines purchased by Chinese companies will be delivered, and the United States has done it before"Surprise attack"And it didn't have much of an impact on its financial prospects! In other words, in the midst of worry and anxiety, ASML made it through 2023 safely, but what about 2024? The outlook is not clear!
In fact, 2024 will be a huge challenge for ASML, and the quality of its business situation is completely in the hands of the former United States, that is, the change in the content of export control restrictions on lithography technology will directly determine the life and death of ASML. This is not an exaggeration! According to the plan, ASML's exemption period will end at the end of 2023, and relevant lithography equipment can no longer be provided to Chinese companies!
According to the report, in the third quarter of 2023, ASML's single-quarter revenue reached 66EUR 7.3 billion with a gross margin of 51.9%, how much money can be sold to make more than half of the money, this business is really good! Chinese mainland's revenue contribution rate reached 46%, accounting for almost half of the country. Ask yourself, if ASML can no longer ** lithography machines in the Chinese mainland market in 2024, is its revenue still optimistic?
In addition, Japanese and Chinese lithography machine manufacturers have also accelerated the road of independent research and development, they all want to bypass ASML and open up a new road, which makes ASML in a very embarrassing situation. What's even more sad is that Lao Mei didn't provide any help, but still staggered forward! In short, ASML was able to deliver the order in full before the waiver period because it was unclear what the future would look like. Technological development can only be done on its own, this is the truth! No company can rely on itself! What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to leave a comment!