ASML Executive: Zero Chip Fabs in Europe, Company's European Sales at Zero
nashnova research
An ASML executive said the company's chip-equipment sales in Europe are zero — no new fabs, no new investment — meaning Europe is being left behind in the global semiconductor expansion cycle.
How rare is "zero sales"?
ASML Executive Vice President Frank Heemskerk said Monday in Amsterdam: "We have absolutely zero sales in Europe."
The numbers back him up: in Q2 2026, Europe contributed zero to ASML's net system sales. For all of 2025, Europe, the Middle East and Africa combined accounted for just 1%.
This means → ASML is the sole supplier of lithography equipment — the machines that etch circuits onto chips. Even its home continent is not buying, because no chip production lines are being built there.
Who is competing for ASML?
Heemskerk revealed that the U.S., China and India are all actively courting ASML to expand locally.
His words: "China and India roll out the reddest red carpet — 'come invest here, build factories here.'" The U.S. wants ASML to raise its R&D share there from one-quarter to one-half.
In May, ASML signed a partnership with India's Tata Electronics to build domestic chip-manufacturing capability.
In plain terms = every major economy is spending money, competing for talent and building fabs — except Europe, which happens to be ASML's home.
Why has Europe fallen behind?
The EU Chips Act took effect in 2023, aiming to double Europe's share of global chip production capacity.
But EU auditors said last year: the target is unlikely to be met by 2030.
The EU is now revising the act, yet whether it can deliver investment incentives strong enough to attract key equipment makers like ASML remains the unresolved core question.
This reflects a gap that is not about technology — it is about investment commitment and policy execution. Europe hosts the world's only lithography supplier but cannot keep production capacity at home.
What does this mean for the market?
In H1 2026, ASML's largest market was South Korea, followed by Taiwan and mainland China — Asia dominates.
This means → ASML's revenue growth is almost entirely tied to expansion cycles in Asia and North America. Europe will not contribute incremental revenue for the foreseeable future.
For investors, the picture is straightforward: in ASML's order book, money flows to wherever fabs are being built — and on that map, Europe is a blank.
市场有风险，内容仅供研究参考，不构成投资建议。