Intel has placed its bets on ASML's high-NA EUV lithography technology for the future, placing orders for all machines to be built this year.
Intel Manages To Surpass Competitors In Securing Cutting-Edge EUV-Lithography Equipment From ASML Through Billions In Investments
The Elec reports that Intel has trusted the Dutch chipmaker's High-NA Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, as the company reserves orders for all five to six kits, which are set to be manufactured this year. While it isn't confirmed, Intel plans on utilizing ASML's magic within their upcoming 18A (1.8nm) and 14A (1.4nm), through which the company's foundry division plans on getting ahead of market competitors, and the reservation of high-NA EUV equipment could prove to be quite beneficial for Team Blue, and we'll discuss the reason behind this later on.
Apart from Intel, it is disclosed that market competitors such as Samsung and SK hynix are expected to receive the initial batch of the high-NA EUV lithography machines, which may drop in somewhere by the second half of 2025. This means that Team Blue has an edge over lithography machines, but they might be able to achieve superior processes much faster compared to competitors, which means that in terms of market race, Intel could be well ahead of others, although we won't comment much on yield rates and process efficiencies, since that is a talk for another day.
It is reported that a single unit of these high-NA EUV lithography machines reportedly costs 500 billion won each, or around $370 million. Since Intel has reportedly acquired five to six units, the total investment amount could reach around 2 billion dollars.
Through ASML, Intel might attempt to revive once again its reputation in the market, and what better way than to throw in immense amounts of money into high-end equipment, that too from the money garnered by American taxpayers, and then distributed through schemes such as CHIPS Act, which has heavily favored Team Blue in the past.
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
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