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This move follows Intel’s sale of a 20% stake in IMS earlier this year to Bain Capital at the same valuation. TSMC has been a long-term partner of IMS since around 2011 or 2012 and relies on the company’s technology, according to IMS CEO Elmar Platzgummer.
IMS Nanofabrication is known for developing multi-beam mask writing tools crucial for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV), a semiconductor manufacturing method adopted for the most advanced technology processing nodes for chips used in artificial intelligence and smartphones. TSMC’s investment is expected to accelerate growth and drive the next lithography technology phase as the industry transitions into new patterning systems like high-numerical-aperture (high-NA) EUV.
“With enhanced independence, IMS will be well positioned to address the significant growth opportunity for multi-beam mask writing tools over the next decade and beyond,” said Matt Poirier, senior VP of corporate development at Intel.
Intel initially invested in IMS in 2009 and acquired the remaining stakes in 2015. The Austrian company produces a chip manufacturing component called a mask, which is essential for the next generation of lithography tools. As the industry transitioned to EUV, only one technical solution remained for mask writing, making a mask an essential component for chipmaking, according to Platzgummer.
Intel is also building a contract manufacturing business, Intel Foundry Services, that competes with TSMC. Despite this competition, TSMC’s investment in IMS highlights the excitement across the whole semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem for the significant opportunity that lies ahead for IMS.
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