Intel announced a $ 4.1-billion. tranche, which will be aimed at accelerating research and development of lithography equipment for processing 450-mm wafers and equipment for EUV-lithography.
Speaking in detail, Intel buys 10% stake in ASML Holding NV The transaction is approximately $ 2.1 billion in the first phase tranche of investment is also to accelerate the development of 450-mm production equipment - about $ 680 million second phase of investment will begin after approval of the Netherlands lithography equipment manufacturer shareholders. It involves the sale of another 5% stake in ASML (approximately $ 1 billion) and the allocation of $ 340 million for the development of EUV-tools. In total, as mentioned above, Intel plans to put $ 4,1 billion into ASML
As you can imagine, Intel, owning 15% stake in the manufacturer of tools are guaranteed to receive a discount when purchasing equipment, as well as looking forward to some preference when placing orders for lithography tools. Along the way, the company expect to gain experience in creating new technologies. However, ASML is not limited to the participation of only Intel's research. With the unnamed producers of semiconductors ASML company is in talks to sell another 10% of its shares. The money will also be aimed at developing a 450-mm and EUV-tools. According to Intel, only one tranche can accelerate the emergence of advanced equipment by two years earlier than expected.
In September last year, Intel, IBM, GlobalFoundries, Samsung and TSMC company in the United States organized a consortium to develop technologies for processing 450-mm wafers.