Foreign media: Three lithography machines are included in restrictions

According to Bloomberg, sources revealed that according to the Netherlands’ semiconductor technology export control measures against China, three more models of ASML Holding NV lithography machines are expected to be banned from being sold to China.

People familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity because the information is not public, said that the export restrictions announced this week will prevent the export of three models of TWINSCAN NXT: 2000i, NXT: 2050i, and NXT: 2100i immersion DUV lithography machines to China.

In response to a reporter's inquiry, an ASML spokesperson referred to the company's statement earlier this week.

ASML said on Wednesday that while it had no information to provide about the new export controls beyond public statements from the government, the company's interpretation of the wording of the ban was that any machines involving "critical" technology, starting with TWINSCAN NXT:2000i, may be subject to prohibited.

ASML has been banned from selling its most advanced technology, extreme ultraviolet lithography, to Chinese companies.

A Dutch government spokesman declined to comment.

A Reuters report pointed out that in the current environment, suppliers of Dutch chip manufacturing machinery giant ASML Holding NV are considering building factories in Southeast Asia instead of China.

Officials from more than a dozen technology companies will visit Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore next week, according to a statement from the Brabant Development Agency, a Dutch public agency involved in organizing the visit.

“Most companies (are) joining as they are considering expanding/setting up production locations in Vietnam or Malaysia,” according to a prospectus prepared by the agency with Brainport Industries. Brainport Industries represents 200 high-tech manufacturing companies headquartered near the Dutch city of Eindhoven.

Two people familiar with the plan told Reuters the possible investment was part of a broader, long-term strategy to reduce exposure to China.

Almost all of the dozen companies on this visit are contractors of ASML. ASML is one of the world's top chip equipment suppliers to semiconductor manufacturers such as TSMC, Samsung and Intel. The company has production facilities in China.

The Dutch government has never granted ASML a license to sell its most advanced chip equipment, extreme violet lithography machine (EUV), to Chinese customers, and the government is also restricting export licenses for sub-level immersion DUV.

ASML's lithography systems cost up to 160 million euros ($170 million) each and are used to create circuits for computer chips.

Information on the company's website shows that companies participating in this task include Neways, which helps ASML develop electrical control units, power control and wiring systems for lithography systems.

A Neways spokesman declined to comment to Reuters.

ASML supplier NTS Group, a supplier of precision machine tools, is another company that will join the business trip, Brainport said.

Other companies involved in the visit include Bestronics, AAE BV, BKB Precision, HQ Group, KMWE Group, Sempro, Sioux Technologies and VDL ETG, according to one of the documents and Brainport sources. Reuters could not immediately reach the companies for comment on Friday.

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