According to Phone Arena, currently, chip foundries in China can only import lithography machines from one source, the Dutch company ASML.
One of the most powerful machines in the semiconductor industry is the Dutch company ASML's second-generation extreme ultraviolet lithography machine, called High-NA EUV, worth $400 million.
With improved EUV printing techniques and resolutions, the most advanced circuit designs can be printed on more than 185 wafers per hour, increasing to 220 per hour next year.
However, the Dutch government is making it difficult for Chinese foundries to purchase this lithography machine.
Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Reinette Klever said that ASML must obtain a license to ship its lithography machines to foundries in China, an unprecedented request.
Dutch lithography could push Chinese foundries up to the 7nm process node. In addition, the Netherlands requires ASML’s older printers in China to have a license if they want the company to maintain them.
However, in reality, Chinese chipmaker SMIC is already able to produce 7nm chips for Huawei, so the ban on Chinese foundries using Dutch EUV lithography equipment may not have much impact.
In addition, Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment has filed a patent to produce parts for printers using EUV technology, and if the company receives the patent, it could help companies like SMIC get EUV lithography machines manufactured right in China.
