According to a press release on its website, ASML and imec have entered into a new five-year strategic partnership agreement aimed at advancing semiconductor research and promoting sustainable innovation. The collaboration will leverage the combined expertise of both organizations to deliver solutions that benefit the semiconductor industry while addressing key sustainability challenges.
The partnership focuses on two main areas: the development of cutting-edge semiconductor technologies and the creation of sustainable innovations. ASML will contribute its full product portfolio, including advanced tools such as 0.55 NA EUV, 0.33 NA EUV, DUV immersion, YieldStar optical metrology, and HMI single- and multi-beam technologies.
These systems will be integrated into imec's pilot line and the EU- and Flemish-funded NanoIC pilot line. The collaboration seeks to enable sub-2nm R&D for the global semiconductor ecosystem. Key research areas will include silicon photonics, memory, and advanced packaging, with a particular focus on developing semiconductor-based AI applications for various industries.
Christophe Fouquet, ASML's president and CEO, emphasized that the agreement represents a continued investment in technology and innovation, aligning with the company's broader strategy to develop solutions that benefit society.
Luc Van den Hove, president and CEO of imec, expressed excitement about expanding the capabilities of imec's pilot line with ASML's advanced patterning solutions. He highlighted that the partnership's focus on sustainable innovation is a significant addition, reinforcing imec's commitment to addressing the environmental impact of technological advancements.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
