이 기사는 2022년 06월 08일 08:01 thebell 에 표출된 기사입니다.

Samsung Electronics vice chairman Lee Jae-yong is expected to leave for the Netherlands to secure highly advanced chipmaking machines by the Dutch chip equipment manufacturer ASML.

Lee is scheduled to visit Europe from June 7 to 18 to seek the cooperation of ASML of the Netherlands, one of the world's leading manufacturers of chip-making equipment. Lee will embark on an overseas trip six months after he visited United Arab Emirates at the end of last year.

ASML is the only company in the world that produces extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure equipment, which is needed for ultra-fine semiconductor processing. The demand for EUV has skyrocketed after it started to be implemented in DRAM manufacturing.

Lee has ramped up efforts to build solid relationship with ASML. He met with ASML’s CEO Peter Wennink and CTO Martin Van Den Brink in October 2020 to discuss the supply of equipment necessary for 7nm EUV and lower processes and cooperation on advanced chip manufacturing technology.

Samsung currently owns a 1.5% stake in ASML. The Korean tech giant invested 503 million euros to secure a 3% stake in the Dutch company in 2012 and sold half its stake in 2018.

Lee’s ASML visit comes amid the continued chip shortage and competition to secure infrastructure. ASML produces about 40 EUV exposure equipment units a year. The company had delivered 42 EUV equipment units to clients in 2021.

Global chipmakers, including Samsung, Intel, SK hynix and TSMC, are competing against each other to secure the Dutch company's EUV machines. It is critical for Samsung to secure ASML's EUV exposure equipment to expand its semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province and to build a foundry plant in Texas, U.S.

Lee's overseas trip came 10 days after the Korean tech giant announced a massive investment plan for the next five years to enhance its competitiveness in the chip industry. Samsung said it will invest 450 trillion won in semiconductor and biopharmaceuticals, most of which will be used for research and development and nurturing talent in South Korea, especially in advanced chipmaking.

Some market insiders said there is the possibility that Lee could discuss mergers and acquisitions (M&A) during his trip. Samsung may use its cash holdings of 124 trillion won to acquire NXP, a vehicle semiconductor company that has been mentioned as a strong candidate to be acquired by the Korean firm.

Infineon Technologies in Germany and STMicroelectronics in Switzerland are constantly being mentioned as possible M&A candidates in Europe. (Reporting by Hyun-ji Sohn)