Samsung’s Texas Taylor Plant Set to Begin Operations Soon; ASML to Form Team for EUV Machinery Setup and Smooth Production Transition

ASML’s cutting-edge EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography equipment is crucial for the production of 2nm GAA (Gate-All-Around) wafers, and the Dutch technology firm is mobilizing a dedicated team to assist Samsung in the installation process at their new Taylor plant. This facility is poised to produce top-tier AI chips and other advanced silicon, with the Exynos 2600 being the first product slated for rollout.

Anticipated Recovery of Samsung’s Foundry Business with New Plant Operations

Recently, ASML advertised a position for a ‘field service engineer’ in Austin, Texas, signaling their commitment to support the initial setup of Samsung’s EUV devices. As reported by Fnnews, this initiative underlines ASML’s strategy to expedite the deployment of essential equipment for Samsung’s 2nm GAA wafer manufacturing efforts. An industry insider pointed out that production at the Taylor plant is approaching commencement.

“ASML’s establishment of a ‘Taylor dedicated team’ can be seen as a sign that preparations for EUV installation are in full swing. It shows that the Taylor plant is getting closer to entering the actual operation phase.”

Beyond just a dedicated team, ASML is also assembling a specialized ‘field service team’ tasked with the critical roles of equipment installation and pre-delivery testing. The effective operation of this equipment is essential, as it enables Samsung to launch 2nm GAA production, which is vital for their competitive edge in technology. Earlier reports indicated that Samsung aimed to initiate mass production of the Exynos 2600 by the end of September, albeit initially producing a modest 15, 000 units each month.

To further accelerate its 2nm GAA development, Samsung is considering acquiring additional EUV machines from ASML. This move is expected to significantly enhance production yields over time. Notably, Qualcomm has begun assessing samples of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, manufactured using the 2nm GAA process, suggesting a potential partnership with Samsung could emerge should yield improvements be realized.

For more information and updates, refer to this Fnnews article.

Further insights and imagery can be found in this source.