China trails ASML by 15 years in advanced chipmaking gear, says supplier

Frank Romund, head of the semiconductor division at Germany's Zeiss Group, said China will need about 15 years to develop its own advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems for producing cutting-edge microchips. Romund called the 15-year estimate a "reasonable assumption" on Bloomberg TV, though he noted Beijing's actual progress is hard to gauge. Zeiss is the exclusive optics supplier for EUV systems made by Dutch firm ASML Holding NV, the world's sole producer of this equipment critical for AI accelerator chips. He added that China has worked on deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography for decades with some success, but "we are still far ahead." Zeiss components are used in manufacturing about 80% of the world's microchips, and the company has expanded its headquarters in Oberkochen to meet global demand. Romund's assessment follows a UBS report suggesting China likely needs at least ten more years for its own EUV technology. The US has led sanctions efforts since 2018-2019, blocking ASML exports to China, with restrictions expanding to some DUV equipment in late 2023 and early 2024.