Netherlands-based ASML Holding NV, a leading global supplier of semiconductor production equipment, is considering bringing its European suppliers to Taiwan, doubling down on its supply-chain deployment in the country, Vice Premier Shen Jong-chin (沈榮津) said yesterday.
That follows ASML’s announcement that it would build manufacturing facilities in New Taipei City’s Linkou District (林口) to support international customers and the development of the semiconductor industry.
RELOCATION
Photo: Bloomberg
Shen did not disclose details about ASML’s new efforts to relocate European supply chains to Taiwan.
ASML is to begin construction on the New Taipei City project in July, Shen said during a speech at a technology forum on Taiwan’s and Japan’s key semiconductor technology deployment and talent cultivation.
The project would be the Dutch firm’s biggest investment in Taiwan, and the continued cooperation between the company and Taiwan should enhance each other’s semiconductor capabilities.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has contributed significantly to the country’s economy, with production hitting NT$4.1 trillion (US$133.8 billion) last year and creating 300,000 jobs, he said.
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Asked about Shen’s comment on its supply-chain allocation plan, ASML said in a e-mail to the Taipei Times: “We support global semiconductor industry development. We do not comment on specific cases or customers.”
ASML is the world’s sole supplier of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) photolithography machines used by semiconductor manufacturers to produce cutting-edge chips.
It has become one of the foremost wafer-foundry equipment suppliers to Taiwanese manufacturers, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電), the world’s largest contract chipmaker.
ASML has five factories in Taiwan employing more than 4,500 people and plans to increase its investments in the country.
The company in 2020 launched a global EUV training center for engineers at the Southern Taiwan Science Park (南部科學園區) in Tainan.
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