Dutch semiconductor production equipment maker ASML is making progress with the manufacturing of its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) systems. The company shipped four EUV machines in Q2 2018, one more than expected, as production is getting a bit easier. ASML expects to ship 20 EUV systems in 2018, a number that's anticipated to climb to 30 in 2019. Current demand is primarily driven by the memory market:
ASML says it has now demonstrated four-week availability of well above 85% on a number of its new NXE:3400B EUV systems and is executing several programs to improve consistent availability to over 90% in 2019.
Wennink said ASML's deep-ultraviolet lithography business continues to thrive, driven largely by the memory market, which continues to require a significant number of lithography systems at least throughout this year and into 2019.
