SiCarrier has announced its plans to develop ASML-compatible lithography machines by 2026. The company has partnerships with major Chinese foundries and aims to establish service centers internationally. With significant leadership backing and ongoing innovations, SiCarrier is poised to make a notable impact on the semiconductor equipment industry.
During SEMICON China, SiCarrier unveiled key details regarding its product roadmap. The Chinese semiconductor equipment manufacturer has developed lithography machines compatible with 300-mm wafers at 28nm process nodes. They plan to introduce an upgraded version of these tools compatible with ASML and Applied Materials by 2026, as reported by Anue.
According to Zhao Min, SiCarrier’s Market Director, a dedicated team is working to ensure compatibility with existing machines used by domestic fabrication facilities. The company’s CTO, Chen Dong, revealed that SiCarrier has established partnerships with various fabs to create joint laboratories and anticipates announcing its initial commercial orders by the fourth quarter of 2025.
SiCarrier’s clientele includes prominent Chinese foundries such as SMIC and Hua Hong Group, which have already begun using some of SiCarrier’s etching equipment for power semiconductor manufacturing. The company aims to expand its research and development presence to over ten cities within the next three years while also setting up service centers in Europe and Southeast Asia, as noted in the report.
Founded in 2022, SiCarrier’s leadership possesses distinguished credentials. Dai Jun, SiCarrier’s technology chief, serves as a supervisor for China’s Big Fund II and is a board member of SMIC, according to China’s Securities Times. Furthermore, earlier reports from Bloomberg suggested that SiCarrier is a state-supported semiconductor equipment developer with collaborations involving Huawei.
In 2023, SiCarrier captured attention with a groundbreaking patent for producing 5nm chips with DUV tools, a development that was crucial in connection to Huawei’s 7nm chip found in the Mate 60 Pro. At SEMICON China, SiCarrier showcased an extensive range of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, including metrology and inspection systems. Although lithography tools were not prominently displayed, Nikkei indicated that the company possesses lithography machines capable of handling 300-mm wafers at 28nm and older technology nodes.
Despite not showcasing lithography equipment, SiCarrier presented a diverse portfolio of tools necessary for virtually every phase of front-end semiconductor production, complemented by metrology, inspection, and testing machinery, as reported by Tom’s Hardware.
In summary, SiCarrier is positioning itself as a formidable player in the semiconductor equipment market. With plans to develop ASML-compatible tools, partnerships with leading foundries, and an ambitious roadmap for expansion and innovation, the company is set to significantly impact the industry by 2026 and beyond. Their achievements and strategic collaborations highlight their potential to contribute to China’s technological advancements in semiconductor manufacturing.
Original Source: www.trendforce.com
