ASML says new EUV tech could raise chip production 50% by 2030

ASML has announced a technological improvement to its EUV lithography machines, increasing the power of the light source from 600 W to 1,000 W.

The company, based in the Netherlands, develops equipment essential for manufacturing advanced chips used by firms like TSMC and Intel.

The upgrade aims to enable chipmakers to produce up to 50% more chips by 2030 by reducing exposure times and lowering costs.

ASML’s lead technologist, Michael Purvis, confirmed that the new system can operate at full power under typical customer conditions.

The company expects its machines to process approximately 330 wafers per hour by the end of the decade, up from 220 wafers currently.

The development comes amid global efforts by the US and China to develop independent EUV technology, with the US supporting startups and restricting exports to China.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

The race for more power is a decade in the making

A higher-power light source tackles a longstanding choke point in high-volume chip manufacturing.
Early commercial extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines ran a ~250-watt light source, which capped output at about 125 wafers per hour 1.
Reaching 1,000 watts could raise production rates through better performance on current EUV systems and upgrade paths, without requiring a full machine replacement 2.
High-NA EUV systems (a newer EUV design that uses higher numerical aperture optics to print finer features) use new optics that expose a smaller area of the wafer at a time. That setup needs faster stage motion to keep factory output steady. ASML has said the TWINSCAN EXE:5000 can print more than 185 wafers per hour, with a roadmap to 220 wafers per hour in 2025 3.

More than just chips, this intersects with the AI boom and energy constraints

Demand tied to AI is pushing chipmakers to speed up production amid tight supply. ASML projects higher EUV source power could raise wafer output from about 220 per hour to about 330 by the end of the decade 2.
AI data center buildouts also strain electricity supplies. One industry executive warned global power use from AI-related server farms could climb toward 7%, roughly what India uses 4.
More advanced manufacturing processes can improve energy efficiency. ASML has said smaller transistors are more energy efficient, meaning chips can do more with less 3.
ASML is the only commercial supplier of EUV lithography machines used for advanced chip production.