Finance
Belgium's Imec Secures Rare Asml High Na Euv Tool to Drive Next-Generation Chips
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 18, 2026
Quick Summary
Belgium’s imec has secured one of fewer than a dozen ASML High‑NA EUV lithography systems—valued at about $400 million—to serve as the linchpin of its €2.5 billion NanoIC pilot line under the EU Chips Act, reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy in next‑generation chip R&D.
Belgium’s imec Secures ASML High NA EUV Tool for Chip Innovation Leadership
Imec’s Acquisition of ASML High NA EUV Tool and Its Impact on Chipmaking
By Toby Sterling
Imec Secures Cutting-Edge Lithography Machine
LEUVEN, Belgium, March 18 (Reuters) - Belgian chip research lab imec said on Wednesday it has secured an ASML $400-million High NA EUV lithography machine--one of fewer than a dozen worldwide--cementing its role in preparing next-generation chipmaking tools for industry use.
Industry Adoption and Future Prospects
ASML customers, including Intel and SK Hynix, are preparing to use High NA tools--which promise much smaller chip circuitry--to make new AI logic and high bandwidth memory chips as early as 2027.
Imec’s Collaborative Business Model
imec, which helped ASML develop EUV technology, is buying the tool under its business model of giving companies and researchers shared access to cutting-edge chipmaking tools in a factory-like setting.
Role as a Hub for Chip Equipment Testing
Due to its many bilateral deals with chip equipment makers including ASML, Applied Materials, LAM, KLA and Tokyo Electron, imec has become the place where chip firms test, develop and ensure their next-generation tools work together.
Significance of the High NA Tool in NanoIC Pilot Line
CENTERPIECE OF IMECI'S NANOIC PILOT LINE
The High NA tool will be the centerpiece of imec's 2.5- billion-euro NanoIC pilot line, which includes 1.4 billion euros of public funding, including from the EU Chips Act.
Strategic Importance for Europe
Obtaining the ASML machine for the line "reinforces Europe's position at the heart of the global semiconductor value chain," Imec CEO Luc Van den hove said at a press conference. "It is the core of Europe's strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty."
Technical Advancements and Industry Readiness
ASML’s Role in EUV Lithography
ASML is the sole maker of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tools, which "print" circuitry onto chips.
Benefits of High NA Technology
High NA refers to the new machine's larger numerical aperture--similar to a camera--which enables creation of chip features that are up to 66% smaller, making them faster and more energy efficient.
Commercial Readiness
ASML told Reuters in February that High NA tools are ready for use in commercial production after years of testing.
(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Key Takeaways
- •Imec is acquiring one of the world’s very limited ASML High‑NA EUV tools to advance sub‑2 nm chip development across Europe – a move that cements its role as a shared-access innovation hub (imec-int.com).
- •The NanoIC pilot line, recently inaugurated (February 9, 2026), is backed by €2.5 billion funding—from the EU (€700 million), national/regional governments (€700 million), and industry including ASML—providing open-access facilities for chip R&D (digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu).
- •High‑NA EUV tools enable much finer chip circuitry—enabling smaller, faster, and more energy‑efficient chips—and are expected to be used in commercial AI logic and high-bandwidth memory chip production by 2027 (cnbc.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Belgium's imec secures rare ASML High NA EUV tool to drive next-generation chips
1What is the significance of imec acquiring the ASML High NA EUV tool?
It cements imec's role in next-generation chipmaking and strengthens Europe's semiconductor position.
2How will the High NA EUV tool be used at imec?
It will serve as the centerpiece of imec's NanoIC pilot line, enabling shared access for chip firms and researchers.
3What advancements does the High NA EUV tool offer?
It enables creation of chip features up to 66% smaller, leading to faster and more energy efficient chips.
4Which companies are preparing to use High NA tools?
ASML customers like Intel and SK Hynix plan to use High NA tools for AI logic and high bandwidth memory chips.
5What public funding supports imec's NanoIC pilot line?
The project receives 1.4 billion euros in public funding, including contributions from the EU Chips Act.
