Belgium’s research laboratory imec announced that it has secured an ASML High‑NA EUV lithography system valued at $400 million. The machine is one of fewer than a dozen such systems in operation worldwide, underscoring the exclusivity of ASML’s next‑generation EUV technology.
The acquisition marks a significant new customer for ASML’s High‑NA line, expanding the company’s installed base beyond its traditional foundry partners. It also signals strong demand for the higher‑resolution lithography that will enable the next wave of advanced logic and memory chips, particularly for AI and data‑center applications. ASML’s recent financial results reinforce this narrative: the company reported record net sales of €32.7 billion and net income of €9.6 billion for 2025, and its Q4 2025 net sales of €9.7 billion included revenue from two High‑NA systems.
ASML’s guidance for 2026 reflects confidence in sustained AI‑driven demand. The company expects net sales between €34 billion and €39 billion for the full year, and it projects Q1 2026 net sales of €8.2 billion to €8.9 billion, with gross margins of 51‑53%. The backlog at the end of 2025 stood at €38.8 billion, providing strong revenue visibility. The new High‑NA tool for imec adds to this momentum, as imec’s role in testing and validating the technology helps de‑risk deployment for chipmakers.
For imec, the High‑NA system represents a strategic partnership that accelerates its research and development of sub‑2 nm logic and memory nodes. By integrating the tool into its test facilities, imec can validate designs before mass production, reducing time‑to‑market for customers. The collaboration also strengthens ASML’s position as the sole supplier of this critical technology, reinforcing its monopolistic toll‑gate over the semiconductor supply chain.
The event aligns with ASML’s broader strategy of expanding its High‑NA installed base and capitalizing on the AI boom. It also supports imec’s mission to push the limits of semiconductor performance, positioning both companies to benefit from the growing demand for advanced chips in data centers, AI accelerators, and high‑performance computing.
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