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Why Samsung and ASML Are Strengthening Their Semiconductor Alliance

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ASML — ASML main-deck Unit Load Device air cargo containers for transporting ASML machines, in Ta — 사진: 4300streetcar · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

On September 8, 2026, Samsung Electronics and Dutch equipment manufacturer ASML announced an expanded strategic partnership to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation semiconductor manufacturing technology, specifically focusing on High-NA EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography.

What Happened

극자외선 — Flare — Photo: NASA/SDO/AIA · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Date of announcement: September 8, 2026.
Participating companies: Samsung Electronics and ASML.
Primary focus: High-NA EUV lithography technology and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
Investment value: Undisclosed.

Why It Matters

In the semiconductor industry, lithography is the critical process of printing circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. As the industry moves toward increasingly powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips, manufacturers must shrink these patterns to microscopic levels to improve efficiency and speed. ASML is the world's sole supplier of EUV lithography machines, which are essential for this 'micro-fabrication.' Samsung, a major player in chip manufacturing, relies on these tools to remain competitive. This partnership deepens their long-standing relationship to ensure Samsung can secure and utilize the latest equipment as the global demand for AI-capable hardware surges [1].

The Numbers

Metric	Value
Previous EUV Numerical Aperture (NA)	0.33
New High-NA EUV Numerical Aperture (NA)	0.55
Theoretical Resolution Improvement	~66.6%

Fact-check

The partnership aims to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation manufacturing technology: TRUE [1].
The resolution improvement of High-NA EUV (0.55 NA) compared to standard EUV (0.33 NA) is approximately 66.6%: TRUE [1].

What's Next

Samsung and ASML have committed to joint efforts to accelerate technology development and equipment deployment. While the companies have stated they will continue to build on years of successful cooperation, no specific timeline for equipment installation or volume of units has been disclosed [1].