Samsung Electronics has postponed the delivery of chip manufacturing equipment from Dutch lithography giant ASML, according to sources. The equipment was initially intended for Samsung's $17 billion facility in Taylor, Texas, but the company has yet to secure any major clients for the project.
Additionally, Samsung has delayed orders from other suppliers, prompting them to seek alternative clients and redeploy staff assigned to the plant back home. This delivery delay marks another setback for the Taylor project, which is a key initiative for Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong. The project aims to expand Samsung's business from basic memory chips to foundry chip manufacturing, challenging the dominance of TSMC in this field.
The delay underscores the widening gap between Samsung and rivals like TSMC and SK Hynix, which are ramping up production of high-end chips to meet the growing demand in AI applications.
ASML, the world's largest supplier of chip manufacturing equipment, revealed a dip in earnings and lowered its 2025 sales forecast due to weak markets outside of AI, citing delayed construction of some wafer fabs. Although ASML did not specify which clients postponed their projects, reports indicate that Samsung has deferred part of its equipment delivery from ASML.
Two sources mentioned that the delayed equipment involves ASML’s advanced Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, which cost around $200 million each and are crucial for manufacturing advanced chips used in smartphones, electronic devices, and AI servers. The machines were originally scheduled for delivery earlier this year but have not yet been shipped.
Details regarding the number of EUV machines ordered by Samsung and the agreed payment terms remain unclear. Samsung has issued the delay notice but has not specified a revised delivery schedule.
