Since the Huawei incident, lithography machine has become the focus of hot discussion among Chinese people. As the core equipment for chip manufacturing, its importance is self-evident. However, due to the US's modification of the rules, the world's most advanced lithography manufacturer ASML has never been able to export EUV lithography machines to the mainland market.
In order to break through the blockade of Meixin, domestic scientific research institutions led by Chinese Academy of Sciences decided to independently develop domestic lithography machines. Faced with this situation, ASML can no longer sit still. Due to concerns about being discharged from the Chinese market in the future, in the past two or three years, ASML has continuously increased its investment layout in the Chinese market and dumped DUV equipment on a large scale on a temporary unrestricted basis.
According to public information, in the first quarter of this year alone, ASML has supplied 23 mid- and low-end equipment to Chinese companies. In addition, ASML has also built a new maintenance center, 3 development centers, and established 15 offices in the mainland market, and even the team size has exceeded 1,500 people.
It is not difficult to see how much ASML attaches to my country's market, after all, we are the world's largest semiconductor consumer market. Driven by the trend of independent core making, the domestic market demand for lithography machines has been increasing, and ASML obviously does not want to miss this huge "cake". What ASML did not expect was that even though it made so much effort, the problems it was worried about had not been eliminated and were still fulfilling.
Recently, the domestic market bidding results for lithography machines were officially released. Data shows that the domestic market has bid for a total of 28 lithography machines this week, with Chinese lithography manufacturers winning 7 of them, and Japanese lithography manufacturers winning 21. In contrast, ASML has not received any grain this time.
In response to this, some foreign media said that Chinese companies have begun to say goodbye to ASML. So the question is, as the world's most advanced lithography manufacturer, why is ASML at a disadvantage in the competition this time?
First of all, the ASML production line contains a large number of US technical accessories. Once the United States changes the rules without any bottom line and restricts the supply of DUV lithography machines, then Chinese companies will have the potential to be "cut off the fire."
Although the overall technical strength of Japanese lithography manufacturers is not as good as ASML, Nikon and Canon , as old lithography giants, their technical accumulation in the field of mid- and low-end lithography should not be underestimated. Moreover, after the " Toshiba Incident ", Japanese technology companies have gradually reduced their dependence on the United States at the core technology level, and their equipment is relatively safer.
Secondly, after the US implemented a supply cut of high-tech Chinese companies such as Huawei , US technology and equipment have been labeled as "unreliable". Many Chinese companies have also recognized the situation and no longer blindly seek " comprador " from American companies, but instead intends to place controllable technologies and equipment locally to support the development of domestic supply chains.
The winning bid for 7 domestic lithography machines is the best proof. Although this number is not large, it has made great progress compared to the situation of highly dependent on ASML in the past.
It is obvious that even though ASML has repeatedly shown goodwill to the domestic market and has increased its corresponding investment layout, the domestic market will not relax its independent research and development of domestic lithography machines.
has proved many times in the past that Western companies are unreliable, and Academician Ni Guangnan has also issued a warning that core technology cannot be bought, and there is no "small path" for the rise of domestic chips. Only by completing comprehensive domestic substitution with practice and achieving "food in your hands" can we no longer be controlled by others.
What is exciting is that the domestic market has mass-produced 14nm process, and 90nm domestic lithography machines have also made breakthroughs. In terms of advanced packaging lithography machines, Shanghai Microelectronics has achieved delivery, and our domestic lithography machines are accelerating the process of "from nothing to something, from weak to strong".
is completely predictable. As long as we follow the road of independence and with the unity and efforts of the whole country, more good news will inevitably come to domestic semiconductors in the future, and breaking through the blockade of Meixin will be just around the corner! What do you think about this?
