In the science and technology rivers and lakes, the chip is like the peerless magic in the martial arts cheats, whoever masters it, who has the capital of the proud rivers and lakes. However, in this treacherous chip war, a battle about lithography machines is quietly staged, the former king ASML gradually faded out of the stage, and Japanese lithography machines have sprung up, this change shocked the industry, and people can't help but ask: what kind of story is hidden behind this?
Once upon a time, the Dutch ASML company relied on its dominant position in the field of lithography machines, which made countless chip companies rush to it. As the only company in the world that can mass-produce EUV lithography machines, ASML controls almost the lifeblood of the entire chip manufacturing industry. However, as the Biden administration's "bullying" strategy against China's tech industry intensified, ASML also had to succumb to pressure and limit the supply of lithography machines to China. This move has undoubtedly dealt a huge blow to China's chip industry, but it also provides a rare opportunity for other lithography machine manufacturers.
In 2024, with the expiration of ASML's exemption, some important DUV lithography machine models will not be able to continue to be shipped to China. This is undoubtedly worse for China's chip industry, which is struggling to catch up. However, at this critical moment, Japanese lithography machine suppliers seized the opportunity and successfully "ascended".
According to Japanese media reports, Japan's semiconductor manufacturing equipment export data was updated, and the revenue of semiconductor equipment exported to China hit a new high, soaring 82% year-on-year, almost doubling. This data shocked the industry and made ASML feel unprecedented pressure. Specifically, from January to March 2024, up to 50% of the lithography equipment produced in Japan was exported to China, an increase of 82% year-on-year. Among them, Japan's Tokyo Electron's revenue in Chinese mainland soared by 46.9%.
Behind this shift is the keen insight of Japanese lithography machine suppliers into technology and markets. They are well aware that in the field of chip manufacturing, lithography machine is one of the indispensable core equipment. As one of the world's largest chip markets, China's demand for lithography machines is naturally huge. Therefore, when ASML was restricted from supplying lithography machines to China, Japanese lithography machine suppliers quickly seized the opportunity and increased their investment in the Chinese market.
Japanese lithography machine suppliers have also shown strong technical strength and market competitiveness. And they are not only in
We have made continuous technological innovations and breakthroughs, launched more advanced lithography machine products, and made great efforts in service and after-sales. This makes the Japanese lithography machine gain a good reputation and credibility in the market, and also provides more choices and possibilities for China's chip industry.
Why is the Japanese lithography machine able to rise at this critical moment? What is the reason behind this?
From a technical and market point of view, Japanese lithography machine suppliers have strong strength and advantages. They have rich experience and technology accumulation in semiconductor materials, manufacturing processes, etc., which makes them highly competitive in the field of lithography machines. At the same time, their understanding and grasp of the Chinese market are also more in-depth and accurate, and they can better meet the needs and expectations of China's chip industry.
From a political and economic point of view, Japanese lithography machine suppliers are also facing certain pressures and challenges. However, they did not give up or back down because of this, but instead increased their investment in the Chinese market more resolutely. The reason behind this is not only optimism and confidence in the prospects of the Chinese market, but also confidence and confidence in its own technical strength and market competitiveness.
From the perspective of cooperation and win-win, there is also great potential and space for cooperation between Japanese lithography machine suppliers and China's chip industry. The two sides can carry out more in-depth cooperation and exchanges in technology, market, service and other aspects, and jointly promote the development and progress of the global chip industry. This kind of cooperation can not only promote mutual benefit and win-win results between the two sides, but also inject more vitality and impetus into the global chip industry.
In this battle over lithography machines, although ASML temporarily lost its dominance in the Chinese market, it does not mean its failure and end. On the contrary, this competition has also exposed some problems and challenges, and at the same time brought more opportunities and possibilities to the entire chip industry. We look forward to seeing more innovations and breakthroughs in this competition, and also look forward to a better future for the global chip industry!
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