Thread

ASML says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe in 2026

402 points · 900 comments · MC995

bethekidyouwant · 1790345304 · focus · HN ↗
What is perhaps more important from ASML's standpoint is that none of the ongoing fab projects in Europe are leading-edge fabs set to use EUV and eventually High-NA EUV lithography scanners. The tools that European fabs use today and that new facilities are set to use in the future are mature tools that cost considerably less than advanced EUV or immersion DUV scanners. This is perhaps a concern for ASML, as the company is naturally interested in selling its more sophisticated and expensive equipment.
Missing from article is where they are selling which I assume is mostly Taiwan and America.
1. cl42 · 1790345535 · focus · HN ↗
  Bloomberg[1] has a breakdown based on ASML filings. For Q2, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan made up 77% of ASML's orders, with China representing another 14%. Given China is on the list, I imagine this includes non-EUV tech as well given the sanctions.
  The fact that Europe has incredibly limited frontier chip making capability is the issue, though. Even if they can produce other chips, its position is not at all resilient.
  [1] <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-22/asml-executive-says-europe-s-biggest-firm-has-no-sales-in-europe" rel="nofollow">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-22/asml-exec...
  1. HarHarVeryFunny · 1790346644 · focus · HN ↗
    The US isn't in a whole lot better position. We've got Intel and Micron, but otherwise dependent on TSMC (and ASML).
    I guess the US chip designers could switch to Intel as a fab if they had to, but there are not even any US-made DUV machines, so far from self-sufficient.
2. HarHarVeryFunny · 1790345960 · focus · HN ↗
  US is only 10-15% of ASML's sales
  1. AdamN · 1790502689 · focus · HN ↗
    And without the CHIPS act that would probably be closer to zero.
3. hn_submit · 1790353157 · focus · HN ↗
  Europe is mostly interested in supporting its car industry. But soon they won't have to worry about that either.
  There are no companies in Europe designing high-end semiconductors because the wages are much lower than in the U.S. The best European talent is moving Stateside and raking in ten times what they can get at home without having to build up seniority first.
  1. bar8uyr · 1790514694 · focus · HN ↗
    Lower wages but worth a lot more. Most CPUs are European designs. No one wants to be in the USA at the moment.

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