In today’s digital age, whether it’s smartphones, laptops, cars, or even supercomputers — they all run on one small but powerful thing: a chip. And the most advanced machines used to create these chips come from one groundbreaking name — ASML tech company.
ASML is not your average tech company. It’s a high-tech Dutch powerhouse that builds the only machines capable of producing the world’s tiniest and fastest chips. This game-changing process is known as EUV lithography, and ASML is the sole company in the world that has mastered it.
Just imagine — a company that doesn’t even make chips itself, yet the world’s top chipmakers rely entirely on it. That’s what makes the ASML tech company the silent force behind the global semiconductor revolution.
In this article, we’ll explore what ASML really is, why it’s so critical in the tech world, how its technology is shaping our digital future, and what lies ahead for this innovative company.
ASML Tech Company History and Development
ASML was founded in 1984. It was formed through a partnership of three companies in the Netherlands. In the beginning, their goal was to make small machines for producing silicon chips. But as the digital world started growing, ASML began investing in UV, and later, in EUV technology.
- 1980s–1990s: Focused on standard UV lithography
- 2000s: Launched DUV machines
- 2010s: Took a big leap into EUV technology
- 2020s (Today): Became the global leader in advanced EUV machines
Thanks to this progress, ASML is now not just an innovative company—it has completely redefined modern chip-making technology.
EUV lithography – the real revolution
Technology Setup: It involves advanced systems like optics, laminar airflow, and vacuum chambers all working together.
- Microscopic Circuits: Chips made with EUV are smaller but more powerful.
- Production Speed: Faster than traditional UV, which also lowers production costs.
- Technology Setup: It involves advanced systems like optics, laminar airflow, and vacuum chambers all working together.
Because of these reasons, ASML tech company has become the backbone of the semiconductor industry.
ASML’s global influence
Globally, many major chip-making companies like TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and GlobalFoundries depend on ASML tech company’s machines. What’s interesting is:
- TSMC and Samsung actively use ASML’s EUV machines in their factories.
- Geopolitical Impact: When it comes to EUV machines, trade rules and export controls between the US, China, and Europe are handled very carefully.
- Supply Chain: ASML’s machines are in high demand and take a long time to deliver. This means even a small disruption (like COVID, war, or export bans) can affect the entire tech industry.
So, ASML tech company is not just a machine manufacturer anymore — it has become a key player, a central part of the global chip supply chain.
Business model and financial position
ASML’s business model is truly interesting:
- They sell high-end machines, and one EUV system costs around $150 million.
- They also earn from services and software support — since these machines need to be installed, maintained, and upgraded regularly, this brings in recurring income.
- A large part of their earnings — about 15–20% every year — is invested back into research and development (R&D).
From a financial point of view, ASML made around €21 billion in annual revenue in 2024, with a net profit margin of about 20–25%. So, the company is not only highly innovative but also highly profitable.
Future plans and challenges
ASML tech company’s next big step is to launch the High-NA (Numerical Aperture) EUV system. The goal is to work on an even smaller nano-scale. This advanced system is expected to enter the market between 2026 and 2028.
But there are several challenges too:
- Technical Limits: It’s very difficult to stabilize the High-NA system.
- Political Restrictions: Due to tensions between the US and China, entering new markets is not easy.
- Monopoly Risk: If only one or two companies can make such machines, global trade rules might change.
Still, ASML has already started finding ways to handle these challenges and is preparing itself for the future.
Conclusion
ASML tech company has not only become the backbone of chip manufacturing but also a leader in modern technology. Through EUV lithography, it is taking chip-making to the next level by improving speed, quality, and size at the nano-scale. In the future, when we see even smaller, faster, and more powerful chips, a big part of the credit will go to ASML tech company.