ASML and imec sign strategic partnership agreement to support semiconductor research and sustainable innovation in Europe
ASML and imec have signed a new five-year strategic partnership agreement focused on semiconductor research and sustainability. The collaboration will leverage ASML's complete product portfolio, including 0.55 NA EUV, 0.33 NA EUV, DUV immersion, and other advanced technologies, to be installed in imec's state-of-the-art pilot line.
The partnership has two main objectives: advancing semiconductor industry solutions and developing sustainable innovation initiatives. The research will focus on sub-2nm R&D, silicon photonics, memory, and advanced packaging, supporting future semiconductor-based AI applications. The project is supported by the EU Chips Act NanoIC pilot line and receives funding from multiple sources, including the Chips Joint Undertaking, European Union's Digital Europe, and participating states.
ASML e imec hanno firmato un nuovo accordo di partnership strategica della durata di cinque anni, incentrato sulla ricerca nei semiconduttori e sulla sostenibilità. La collaborazione sfrutterà l'intero portafoglio prodotti di ASML, inclusi 0,55 NA EUV, 0,33 NA EUV, immersione DUV e altre tecnologie avanzate, che saranno installate nella linea pilota all'avanguardia di imec.
La partnership ha due obiettivi principali: avanzare le soluzioni per l'industria dei semiconduttori e sviluppare iniziative di innovazione sostenibile. La ricerca si concentrerà su R&D sub-2nm, fotonica al silicio, memoria e packaging avanzato, supportando le future applicazioni AI basate su semiconduttori. Il progetto è sostenuto dalla linea pilota NanoIC dell'EU Chips Act e riceve finanziamenti da più fonti, tra cui il Chips Joint Undertaking, il programma Digital Europe dell'Unione Europea e stati partecipanti.
ASML y imec han firmado un nuevo acuerdo de asociación estratégica por cinco años centrado en la investigación de semiconductores y sostenibilidad. La colaboración aprovechará el completo portafolio de productos de ASML, incluidos 0.55 NA EUV, 0.33 NA EUV, inmersión DUV y otras tecnologías avanzadas, que se instalarán en la línea piloto de última generación de imec.
La asociación tiene dos objetivos principales: avanzar en soluciones para la industria de semiconductores y desarrollar iniciativas de innovación sostenible. La investigación se centrará en I+D sub-2nm, fotónica de silicio, memoria y empaquetado avanzado, apoyando futuras aplicaciones de IA basadas en semiconductores. El proyecto cuenta con el apoyo de la línea piloto NanoIC del EU Chips Act y recibe financiación de múltiples fuentes, incluyendo el Chips Joint Undertaking, el programa Digital Europe de la Unión Europea y estados participantes.
ASML과 imec는 반도체 연구와 지속 가능성에 중점을 둔 5년간의 새로운 전략적 파트너십 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 협력은 ASML의 전체 제품 포트폴리오를 활용하여 0.55 NA EUV, 0.33 NA EUV, DUV immersion 및 기타 고급 기술을 포함하여 imec의 최첨단 파일럿 라인에 설치될 예정입니다.
이 파트너십의 두 가지 주요 목표는 반도체 산업 솔루션을 발전시키고 지속 가능한 혁신 이니셔티브를 개발하는 것입니다. 연구는 sub-2nm 연구개발, 실리콘 포토닉스, 메모리 및 고급 패키징에 중점을 두어 미래의 반도체 기반 AI 애플리케이션을 지원할 것입니다. 이 프로젝트는 EU 칩법 NanoIC 파일럿 라인의 지원을 받고 있으며, Chips Joint Undertaking, 유럽연합의 Digital Europe 및 참여 국가 등 여러 출처로부터 자금을 지원받고 있습니다.
ASML et imec ont signé un nouvel accord de partenariat stratégique de cinq ans axé sur la recherche en semi-conducteurs et la durabilité. La collaboration tirera parti du portefeuille complet de produits d'ASML, y compris 0,55 NA EUV, 0,33 NA EUV, immersion DUV et d'autres technologies avancées, qui seront installées dans la ligne pilote de pointe d'imec.
Le partenariat a deux objectifs principaux : faire progresser les solutions de l'industrie des semi-conducteurs et développer des initiatives d'innovation durable. La recherche se concentrera sur R&D sub-2nm, la photonique au silicium, la mémoire et l'emballage avancé, soutenant les futures applications d'IA basées sur des semi-conducteurs. Le projet est soutenu par la ligne pilote NanoIC de la loi sur les puces de l'UE et reçoit des financements de plusieurs sources, y compris le Chips Joint Undertaking, le programme Digital Europe de l'Union européenne et des États participants.
ASML und imec haben eine neue fünfjährige strategische Partnerschaftsvereinbarung unterzeichnet, die sich auf die Forschung im Bereich Halbleiter und Nachhaltigkeit konzentriert. Die Zusammenarbeit wird das gesamte Produktportfolio von ASML nutzen, einschließlich 0,55 NA EUV, 0,33 NA EUV, DUV-Immersion und anderer fortschrittlicher Technologien, die in der hochmodernen Pilotlinie von imec installiert werden.
Die Partnerschaft verfolgt zwei Hauptziele: die Lösungen der Halbleiterindustrie voranzutreiben und nachhaltige Innovationsinitiativen zu entwickeln. Die Forschung wird sich auf sub-2nm F&E, Siliziumphotonik, Speicher und fortschrittliche Verpackung konzentrieren, um zukünftige KI-Anwendungen auf Halbleiterbasis zu unterstützen. Das Projekt wird durch die EU Chips Act NanoIC-Pilotlinie unterstützt und erhält Finanzierung aus mehreren Quellen, darunter das Chips Joint Undertaking, das Digital Europe-Programm der Europäischen Union und teilnehmende Staaten.
- Strategic expansion of ASML's technology portfolio implementation in advanced research
- Access to state-of-the-art sub-2nm R&D capabilities
- Significant EU and multi-country funding support
- Development of AI-focused semiconductor solutions
- None.
Insights
ASML's new five-year strategic partnership with imec represents a significant advancement in the company's research capabilities and European market positioning. This agreement extends beyond a typical collaboration by incorporating ASML's entire product portfolio - including advanced 0.55 NA EUV, 0.33 NA EUV, DUV immersion systems, and metrology tools - into imec's state-of-the-art pilot line.
The partnership stands out for its dual focus: advancing semiconductor technology below the 2nm node while simultaneously funding sustainable innovation initiatives. This positions ASML strategically within European semiconductor development efforts, complemented by funding from the EU Chips Act, Flemish government, and Dutch government as part of larger European semiconductor sovereignty initiatives.
For ASML, this collaboration provides a critical real-world testbed for their most advanced systems, enabling faster feedback loops and technology refinement. The focus on silicon photonics, memory, and advanced packaging broadens ASML's research focus beyond traditional lithography, particularly for AI applications which represent a major growth market.
The sustainability component aligns with increasing ESG expectations from investors and positions ASML favorably against competitors. While no specific financial metrics are provided, the strategic value lies in maintaining ASML's technological leadership position through privileged research access, which ultimately supports the company's long-term competitive moat in advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
ASML and imec sign strategic partnership agreement to support semiconductor research and sustainable innovation in Europe
Veldhoven (the Netherlands) and Leuven (Belgium), March 11, 2025 – ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) and imec, a leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, today announce that they have signed a new strategic partnership agreement, focusing on research and sustainability.
The agreement has a duration of five years and aims to deliver valuable solutions in two areas by bringing together ASML’s and imec’s respective knowledge and expertise. First, to develop solutions that advance the semiconductor industry and second, to develop initiatives focused on sustainable innovation.
The collaboration incorporates ASML’s whole product portfolio, with a focus on developing high-end nodes, using ASML systems including 0.55 NA EUV, 0.33 NA EUV, DUV immersion, YieldStar optical metrology and HMI single- and multi-beam technologies. These tools will be installed in imec’s state-of-the-art pilot line and incorporated in the EU- and Flemish-funded NanoIC pilot line, providing the most advanced infrastructure for sub-2nm R&D to the international semiconductor ecosystem. Focus areas for R&D will also include silicon photonics, memory and advanced packaging, offering full stack innovation for future semiconductor-based AI applications in diverse markets.
A new area in the collaboration consists of a significant contribution to fund innovative ideas and activities in imec’s research funnel that bring environmental and societal benefits.
ASML’s president and CEO Christophe Fouquet comments: “This agreement marks the next step in the longstanding co-operation between ASML and imec. It signals our joint ambitions to develop solutions for the semiconductor industry and fits our strategy of investing in technology and innovation that will benefit society at large.”
“We are excited to continue our longstanding unique partnership with ASML, offering the industry access to the most advanced patterning solutions for over 30 years,” states Luc Van den hove, President and CEO at imec, “The inclusion of ASML’s full product portfolio will allow us to expand and further mature the capabilities of our pilot line, providing the entire semiconductor ecosystem with the most advanced R&D to tackle the challenges of AI-driven technological advancements. Since imec has a strong focus on sustainable innovation, having this explicitly included in our partnership is a great addition.”
The ASML investment in the partnership is complemented with funding made available by the Chips Joint Undertaking and the Flemish government (for the realization of the EU Chips Act NanoIC pilot line), and by the Dutch government (as an Important Project of Common European Interest).
The acquisition and operation of the NanoIC pilot line are jointly funded by the Chips Joint Undertaking, through the European Union’s Digital Europe (101183266) and Horizon Europe programs (101183277), as well as by the participating states Belgium (Flanders), France, Germany, Finland, Ireland and Romania. For more information, visit nanoic-project.eu.”
Making 0.55 NA technology available at imec was part of the Next Gen-7A project (IPCEI22201) funded by the Dutch government as an Important Project for Common European Interest (IPCEI). For more information, visit IPCEI ME/CT.
ASML
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Imec
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About ASML
ASML is a leading supplier to the semiconductor industry. The company provides chipmakers with hardware, software and services to mass produce the patterns of integrated circuits (microchips). Together with its partners, ASML drives the advancement of more affordable, more powerful, more energy-efficient microchips. ASML enables groundbreaking technology to solve some of humanity's toughest challenges, such as in healthcare, energy use and conservation, mobility and agriculture. ASML is a multinational company headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, with offices across EMEA, the US and Asia. Every day, ASML’s more than 44,000 employees (FTE) challenge the status quo and push technology to new limits. ASML is traded on Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ under the symbol ASML. Discover ASML – our products, technology and career opportunities – at www.asml.com.
About imec
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Imec leverages its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and its team of more than 5,500 employees and top researchers, for R&D in advanced semiconductor and system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, beyond 5G communications and sensing technologies, and in application domains such as health and life sciences, mobility, industry 4.0, agrofood, smart cities, sustainable energy, education, … Imec unites world-industry leaders across the semiconductor value chain, Flanders-based and international tech, pharma, medical and ICT companies, start-ups, and academia and knowledge centers. Imec is headquartered in Leuven (Belgium), and has research sites across Belgium, in the Netherlands and the USA, and representation in 3 continents. In 2022, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 846 million euro.
Further information on imec can be found at www.imec-int.com.
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FAQ
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