Written by Toby Stirling
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – European tech giant ASML and Eindhoven University of Technology said on Thursday they have agreed to spend a total of 180 million euros ($195 million) on semiconductor research over the next 10 years.
ASML, the largest supplier of equipment used to make computer chips, is struggling with where and how to expand its operations, with workforce and other infrastructure in the Netherlands' Eindhoven region struggling to meet growth plans. There are also questions about whether there is enough to do so.
In a statement announcing the partnership, ASML Chief Financial Officer Roger Dassen said, “This partnership will increase the availability of Ph.D. degrees, which our industry has a strong need for. “It will provide scientific insights that are relevant to the chip industry and society.”
“With this agreement, we will invest in Dutch science and professional development.”
The university said it will invest €100 million to build and operate an advanced clean room facility to conduct semiconductor-related research in areas such as plasma physics, mechatronics, optics and AI. ASML is investing 80 million euros.
President Robert Jan Smits said the partnership is the university's largest ever and will help solidify Eindhoven's importance as a “semiconductor hotspot”.
In March, the Dutch government announced $2.7 billion for “Project Beethoven” to improve roads, housing and the power grid around Eindhoven to discourage ASML from making good on its threats to move key operations overseas.
In April, ASML signed a letter of intent with the city of Eindhoven to build an expansion in an undeveloped area near the city's airport that will accommodate an additional 20,000 employees.
ASML, based in Eindhoven just outside Veldhoven, had 42,000 worldwide at the end of 2023, of which 23,000 were in the Netherlands.
The company has long-term forecasts that annual sales will reach 44-60 billion euros by 2030, roughly double from 26.7 billion euros in 2023.
(1 dollar = 0.9241 euro)
(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Diane Craft)
