China’s AMEC unveils 6 chip-making machines in a day, boosting self-reliance ambitions

AMEC's unveiling of six new chip-making machines in one day points to China's rapid progress in domestic semiconductor equipment. The company's shift from an etching specialist to an all-around equipment provider directly addresses Beijing's self-reliance goals. This development challenges the dominance of US and Japanese giants like Lam Research and Applied Materials in the global etching and deposition markets. AMEC's R&D spending surged 36.9 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, reaching 30.5 percent of its total revenue, demonstrating a significant commitment to innovation. The real story here is not just the number of machines, but the accelerated development cycle. AMEC has cut its product development from three to five years down to two years or less. This speed, combined with over 20 new machines currently under development, suggests a sustained effort to close the technology gap. For the Asian chip industry, this means increased competition and potential supply chain diversification, particularly for companies reliant on imported equipment. The key thing to watch is how quickly these new machines achieve commercial scale and performance parity with established international offerings.