Yoon "ASML Technological Innovation, Driving Force of the Global 4th Industrial Revolution"
ASML-Samsung Establish 'Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology R&D Center'
ASML-Hynix Collaborate on 'Hydrogen Gas Recycling Technology Development'
Park Chunsub, Chief Economic Secretary, "Cooperation Has Moved Beyond to Alliance Stage"
On the 12th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the headquarters of the global semiconductor equipment company ASML and stated, "To ensure the success of the semiconductor cooperation project between Korean and Dutch companies, we will strengthen direct communication between the two governments and provide all necessary support." On the occasion of President Yoon's state visit to the Netherlands, ASML and Samsung Electronics signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to establish a 'Next-Generation Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology R&D Center' in Korea with an investment of 1 trillion won, and SK Hynix signed an 'MOU for the Development of Hydrogen Gas Recycling Technology for EUV' with ASML. Based on this, the semiconductor 'cooperation' between the two countries is evaluated to have been elevated to the level of an 'alliance.'
On the same day, President Yoon visited ASML headquarters together with Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, and held a meeting with Peter Wennink, CEO of ASML, Benjamin Loh, CEO of ASM which produces deposition equipment, and Luc Van den Hove, CEO of the research institute IMEC, and also attended the signing ceremony of three MOUs.
President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the Netherlands, visited the ASML headquarters in Veldhoven on the 12th (local time) and left his signature on a wafer. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Yoon urges ASML to contribute to semiconductor innovation and supply chain stabilization efforts with Korean companies
At the event, President Yoon said, "This visit is the first company visit during my overseas tour," and requested ASML to "work closely with Korean companies to contribute to semiconductor innovation and global supply chain stabilization efforts." He added, "I am very pleased with the investment cooperation between ASML and Samsung and SK Hynix taking place today," and introduced, "ASML and Samsung will invest 1 trillion won to build a semiconductor research and development (R&D) center in Korea, and SK Hynix will jointly develop an eco-friendly hydrogen resource process that drastically reduces power consumption during production."
He also added, "In February next year, an advanced semiconductor academy led by ASML will be launched, where graduate engineers from Korea and the Netherlands will participate together. This is significant as both countries will nurture talent together."
Looking at the MOUs signed that day, first, amid the global semiconductor workforce shortage, the two governments (Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs) signed a cooperation MOU to establish the 'Korea-Netherlands Advanced Semiconductor Academy,' which provides on-site learning opportunities for graduate students from both countries using cutting-edge semiconductor production equipment. The Advanced Semiconductor Academy is scheduled to start its first training session in the Netherlands in February next year with 100 participants from both countries.
ASML also signed an MOU with Samsung Electronics to invest 1 trillion won to jointly develop ultra-fine processes based on next-generation EUV and establish a 'Next-Generation Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology R&D Center' in Korea. This is the first time that ASML, an equipment company, has established an R&D center overseas jointly with a semiconductor manufacturing company to develop semiconductor manufacturing processes. Previously, President Yoon met ASML Chairman Peter Wennink twice in November last year and July this year to request increased investment in Korea.
SK Hynix also signed an 'MOU for the Development of Hydrogen Gas Recycling Technology for EUV' with ASML. If the hydrogen inside EUV equipment is recycled without burning, power consumption is expected to decrease by 20%, and annual costs are expected to be reduced by 16.5 billion won.
President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the Netherlands, and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands are taking a commemorative photo after the Korea-Netherlands advanced semiconductor cooperation agreement ceremony held at the ASML headquarters in Veldhoven on the 12th (local time). From left to right: Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group; President Yoon; King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands; Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Peter Wennink, CEO of ASML. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Yoon visits cleanroom... Presidential Office: "Only a true semiconductor alliance can achieve this"
The two leaders visited ASML's cleanroom together to inspect the production site of next-generation EUV equipment. The cleanroom visited by President Yoon and King Willem-Alexander is the next-generation EUV production site whose full appearance has never been disclosed before. The Korean government and companies show great interest in ASML because of its unique business. ASML is the only company in the world that produces EUV lithography equipment essential for ultra-fine processes below 7 nanometers (nm; 1 nm is one-billionth of a meter). The next-generation EUV equipment called 'High Numerical Aperture (NA),' which will be used for processes below 2 nm, is also expected to be introduced soon.
President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the Netherlands, is seen on the 12th (local time) at the ASML headquarters in Veldhoven, waving to workers while touring the cleanroom with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. [Image source=Yonhap News]
With limited equipment supply, semiconductor companies wanting the latest lithography equipment are lining up, making equipment acquisition a key competitive factor in ultra-fine processes. ASML announced at its event last year that it plans to secure production capacity for 90 EUV machines by 2026 and 20 High NA machines by 2028. The semiconductor industry expects Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, TSMC, and Intel in the U.S. to receive High NA equipment following EUV. It is reported that many companies have already signed supply contracts.
Park Chun-seop, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, explained in a local briefing, "The semiconductor cooperation has gone beyond the cooperation stage to the alliance stage," adding, "It means that from design to equipment and manufacturing, the entire process will be cooperated on consistently as an alliance." He further said, "Nurturing talent together and sharing know-how is something only a true semiconductor alliance can do," and evaluated, "We expect exchanges among future generations in the semiconductor field of both countries to become more active." Regarding the MOU between ASML and Samsung Electronics, he said, "Our government plans to provide full support from installation to operation."
Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, also said, "Samsung Electronics has applied 3 nm technology to mass production, so EUV equipment is inevitably needed," and predicted, "Although not yet disclosed, Samsung Electronics and ASML may jointly invest to develop lithography-related technology." Regarding the establishment of the Korea-Netherlands semiconductor alliance, he said, "It will be advantageous for domestic semiconductor manufacturers to procure EUV equipment more flexibly than before."
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