ASML is forming a dedicated team to install EUV equipment at Samsung’s Taylor, Texas plant as the facility prepares to commence 2nm GAA wafer production, marking a crucial milestone for America’s semiconductor manufacturing ambitions.
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Taylor Plant Status
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Construction | 99.6% complete |
| Investment | $17 billion |
| Production Start | Expected 2026 |
| First Product | Exynos 2600 chipset |
| Federal Grant | $6.4 billion (CHIPS Act) |
ASML’s Dedicated Support Team
ASML recently advertised for a ‘field service engineer’ in Austin, Texas, with requirements stating “we will support the initial startup of Samsung’s EUV equipment”, signaling that preparations for EUV installation are accelerating significantly.
ASML is forming both a “Taylor dedicated team” and a separate “field service team” responsible for equipment installation and testing just before delivery to the site. Without this advanced hardware, Samsung cannot kickstart 2nm GAA production critical for competing with TSMC’s dominance.
Exynos 2600 First Production
Samsung previously commenced mass manufacturing of the Exynos 2600 by late September, though initial volume was only 15,000 monthly units. The Taylor facility will significantly expand capacity once fully operational with complete EUV equipment installations.
For semiconductor industry observers, this represents Samsung’s major push to reclaim foundry market share lost to TSMC, whose market dominance reached 61.7% while Samsung’s contracted manufacturing share fell to just 11%.
Cost and Tariff Challenges
Each EUV machine from ASML costs up to 500 billion won (nearly $350 million per unit), with potential tariffs running into hundreds of millions. Equipment installation delays previously pushed production timelines from 2024 to 2026, though Samsung maintains operations will begin on schedule.
The facility received Texas state support including the $16.6 million Samsung Highway infrastructure project providing critical plant access.
2nm GAA Technology Advantage
Samsung’s progress with its 2nm GAA node can be expedited by purchasing several of ASML’s EUV machines, with the acquisition also helping to improve yields in the long run. This technology represents the cutting edge of semiconductor manufacturing, enabling denser transistor packing and improved power efficiency.
The Taylor plant forms part of Samsung’s broader $40 billion US investment strategy, positioning the company to capitalize on domestic semiconductor demand driven by AI infrastructure buildouts.
Visit Samsung Newsroom for updates.
FAQs
When will Samsung’s Taylor plant start production?
Samsung expects to begin 2nm GAA wafer production in 2026, starting with the Exynos 2600 chipset.
How much does each ASML EUV machine cost?
Each extreme ultraviolet lithography machine costs approximately $350 million, making them the most expensive chipmaking equipment.
