Samsung Delays High-NA EUV Technology Rollout Due to Financial Considerations

Samsung has decided to delay the mass production implementation of High-NA EUV technology, despite having already installed two sets of the advanced equipment. Industry observers suggest the decision is primarily driven by financial considerations rather than any insurmountable technical bottlenecks. This occurs as Intel has already begun using similar technology in its production lines.

The company has invested over 1 trillion Korean won (approximately 4.5 billion RMB) in High-NA EUV equipment, with the first machine installed at its Hwaseong campus last year and a second added in the first half of this year. However, these machines have not yet been utilized for mass production, and their commercial deployment remains on hold.

Samsung's foundry business has been operating at a loss since 2022, but some market watchers anticipate a return to profitability as early as the fourth quarter of this year. Introducing High-NA EUV production now would significantly increase fixed operating costs, and Samsung is hesitant to take on additional capital expenditure just as the business is nearing profitability.

Samsung's 2nm process yield has improved to around 55%, nearing the 60% level generally considered necessary for stable mass production. Semiconductor equipment industry sources indicate that Samsung's current yield is sufficient for deploying new equipment. However, the company is likely to maintain a conservative capital expenditure strategy until more major client orders are secured and profitability becomes more firmly established.