China's AMEC unveils six new chip tools to bolster domestic supply chain
The semiconductor equipment firm is pivoting from an etching specialist to a comprehensive provider to reduce reliance on foreign technology.
Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC) unveiled six new chipmaking machines in a single day at an industry conference in Wuxi. The aggressive rollout signals a strategic pivot for the Chinese firm as it seeks to provide a comprehensive suite of tools to mitigate foreign supply chain risks.
The new lineup consists of high-end etching and thin-film deposition tools. Four of the six new products are deposition tools, including the Prefima Unicore AM, a 12-inch atomic layer deposition system for molybdenum. Other key additions include the Performo QuaStar PECVD platform, which targets silicon oxide and silicon nitride stack deposition for 3D NAND manufacturing, and the Primo XD-RIE system specifically designed for 3D memory production.
The push for self-reliance
This expansion comes as China aggressively funds domestic alternatives to challenge the global dominance of U.S. and Japanese firms like Applied Materials, Lam Research, and Tokyo Electron. Historically known as an etching specialist, AMEC is now diversifying its portfolio into deposition, metrology, and chemical mechanical polishing to create a localized semiconductor ecosystem.
To fuel this transition, AMEC has significantly ramped up its spending. In the first half of the year, the company invested 2.04 billion yuan (US$303.5 million) into research and development, representing a 36.9% increase year-on-year. This financial surge has yielded operational efficiencies; the company has successfully reduced its product development cycle from a previous window of three to five years down to two years or less.
Industry implications
Developing high-end etching and deposition tools domestically is a critical requirement for China to manufacture advanced logic and 3D NAND memory chips without relying on Western technology. By shortening the time it takes to bring new tools to market, AMEC is reducing the impact of U.S. export controls and narrowing the gap with global leaders.
AMEC Chairman Gerald Yin Zhiyao stated that the company aims to expand its coverage to more than 60% of the high-end integrated-circuit equipment market within five years through a combination of internal development and acquisitions.
What to watch
While the unveiling of these six machines demonstrates rapid R&D progress, the industry will be watching for the actual adoption rates of these tools within Chinese fabs. The primary challenge remains whether these domestic systems can match the precision and yield of established foreign competitors at scale. As AMEC pursues its 60% market share goal, further acquisitions and the introduction of metrology tools will be key indicators of its success in becoming a full-service equipment provider.