ASML to Face New Export Restrictions on Advanced Chipmaking Technologies in the Netherlands

The Dutch government announced on Wednesday that they plan to implement new restrictions on the export of semiconductor technology to protect national security and join the US in curbing the export of chips to China. As a result, Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML has issued a statement on their official website regarding increased export controls.

Today, the Dutch government released more information about the upcoming restrictions on the export of semiconductor equipment. These new export controls mainly target advanced chip manufacturing technology, including the most advanced deposition and immersion lithography tools.

Due to these impending regulations, ASML will need to apply for an export license to ship the most advanced immersion DUV systems. However, these control measures will not apply to all immersion lithography tools, but only to the so-called "most advanced" ones.

Although ASML has not received any additional information about the exact definition of "most advanced," they interpret it as "critical immersion," which they defined as TWINSCAN NXT:2000i and subsequent immersion systems in their capital market day. Additionally, ASML noted that customers primarily focused on mature nodes can use less advanced immersion lithography tools.

It is important to note that ASML's long-term vision is primarily based on global long-term demand and technological trends rather than detailed location assumptions. Thus, based on today's announcement, our expectations for the Dutch government's licensing policy, and the current market situation, we anticipate that these measures will not have a significant impact on our 2023 financial outlook or the long-term situation announced during our investor day in November of last year.

It's worth reminding that since 2019, the sale of ASML's EUV tools has already been restricted.