SiCarrier Shakes Up Chip Industry with New Equipment Lineup at SEMICON 2025, Challenging ASML’s Leadership

Recently, SiCarrier, China’s leading chip equipment manufacturer, has shown off an impressive collection of chipmaking tools aimed at enhancing the country’s semiconductor production capabilities.

### SiCarrier: A Major Player in China’s Semiconductor Scene Challenging Industry Giants

China’s push to establish itself as a significant player in the semiconductor industry has seen remarkable advancements in recent years. With companies like Huawei, SMIC, and others at the forefront, the focus has been on creating a robust in-house chip production ecosystem. However, one company that’s perhaps not as widely recognized yet plays a crucial role is SiCarrier. This Huawei-supported firm is gaining attention for its focus on developing chipmaking tools. At SEMICON 2025 in China, SiCarrier showcased its latest equipment lineup, signaling their determination not to be left behind.

In a tweet from @zephyr_z9 highlighting SiCarrier’s recent endeavors, the company’s newest catalog reveals several new chipmaking tools, notably including RTP (Rapid Thermal Processing) systems used in semiconductor fabrications for IC devices. While the catalog boasts of various advancements, it notably omits tools for lithography, hinting that SiCarrier might be keeping its strategies closely guarded. This diverse array of chipmaking equipment is clearly intended to rival giants like ASML and Applied Materials. Yet, it’s still uncertain how effective these tools will be for China’s domestic market.

A major highlight from SEMICON came from SiCarrier’s President, Du Lijun, who asserted that the firm’s domestic chipmaking tools are capable of producing 5nm chips. Despite utilizing non-optical technologies, which can result in lower yield rates and higher production costs compared to international standards, SiCarrier believes in finding a way forward. Collaborating with SMIC and Huawei, they are exploring solutions with the hope that China’s ambition to achieve semiconductor self-sufficiency will soon bear fruit.

Du Lijun expressed optimism about utilizing alternative technologies, stating, “There might be a path where we can use non-optical technologies, that is, using our process equipment to solve some of the lithography issues.”

SiCarrier’s long-term goal is to shift the semiconductor industry’s power dynamics, moving reliance away from countries like the Netherlands, known for its chipmaking tools. Previously, it was reported that the company is actively working with Huawei and the Shenzhen government on developing custom EUV prototypes concentrating on laser-induced discharge plasma (LDP). This step is crucial as China aims to develop its own EUV lithography equipment, a key component necessary for creating its state-of-the-art semiconductor nodes.