ASML says TSMC joins Intel to invest in latest chip kit

By Roberta Cowan

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - ASML, the global chip equipment maker, has signed up TSMC to further bankroll its research and development into costly next-generation chip-making kit to make micro chips smaller, smarter and cheaper, the Dutch firm said on Sunday.

Last month, ASML's chief executive Eric Meurice said he had asked its three biggest customers - Intel Corp., TSMC, and Samsung Electronics - to help fund its costly R&D and invest in up to 25 percent of its shares.

ASML said on Sunday TSMC agreed to invest 276 million euros in research over the coming five years and will also take a 5 percent equity stake in ASML, valued at 838 million euros.

ASML cut a similar deal with Intel Corp. in July and said then that it expected to reach agreements with TSMC and Samsung Electronics to accelerate the development of its "extreme ultraviolet" or EUV lithography technology and 450-millimeter lithography tools.

Fast-tracking the development of such technology not only cements ASML's position as the market leader ahead of Nikon, but could also slash production costs for hot consumer gadgets such as smartphones and tablet computers.

When ASML announced its first customer deal with Intel on July 9th, Intel said it hoped the R&D investment boost would help speed up the adoption of the next generation of chip manufacturing processes from ASML by as much as two years. At the time, some analysts said paying $50 for a tablet computer is not beyond the realm of possibility.

"One of the biggest challenges facing IC scaling today is how to effectively control the escalating wafer manufacturing cost," said Shang-yi Chiang, TSMC executive vice president and co-chief operating officer, who added that is he confident the program with ASML will speed up the development of new technologies.

ASML, the world's largest supplier to chipmakers of machines that etch circuits onto silicon wafers, wants to spread the risk of developing cutting-edge equipment based on 450-millimeter wafer sizes and EUV lithography.