China’s leading chip equipment manufacturer, SiCarrier, is stepping up its game with the release of an array of advanced chipmaking tools, aiming to boost domestic semiconductor production to new heights.
SiCarrier: China’s Foremost Chipmaking Tool Producer and a Growing Rival to ASML and Others
Over the past few years, China’s progress in the semiconductor arena has surged remarkably, fueled by a national drive to counter external influence. Key players like Huawei and SMIC have significantly contributed to building China’s chip production capabilities, and their efforts are gradually reaping results. Yet, a crucial name that often flies under the radar is SiCarrier, reportedly backed by Huawei and known for its expertise in crafting chipmaking equipment. At the SEMICON 2025 event in China, SiCarrier introduced its latest suite of tools, clearly signaling that they mean business.
Image Credits: SCMP
SiCarrier’s recently unveiled catalog, showcased at SEMICON and highlighted by @zephyr_z9, includes a variety of cutting-edge chip tools such as RTP (Rapid Thermal Processing) systems, crucial for semiconductor manufacturing in IC devices. While the catalog boasts a wide range of tools, lithography equipment is notably absent, hinting that SiCarrier may have special plans in that area. This lineup is poised to challenge industry giants like ASML, Applied Materials, and LAM, although the effectiveness of these tools in the domestic market remains to be seen.
During SEMICON, Du Lijun, President of SiCarrier, remarked that their domestic chip tools are capable of producing 5nm chips. However, the use of non-optical technology presents yield challenges, potentially making production more expensive than international competitors. SiCarrier is collaborating with SMIC and Huawei to overcome these obstacles, and considering China’s ambitions for semiconductor self-sufficiency, a breakthrough seems imminent.
"There may be a way to use non-optical technologies; in other words, leveraging our processing equipment to address some lithography challenges," according to Du Lijun, relayed via Reuters.
SiCarrier’s main objective is to shift the semiconductor manufacturing focus away from countries like the Netherlands, a primary hub for chipmaking gear. In earlier reports, it was revealed that SiCarrier is working with Huawei and the Shenzhen government to pioneer custom EUV prototypes with an emphasis on laser-induced discharge plasma (LDP). This development represents China’s initial stride towards independently creating its own EUV lithography machines, potentially removing the final hurdle to mastering cutting-edge chip nodes.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, China’s semiconductor ambitions are clear, and SiCarrier is playing a pivotal role in that transformation, challenging global heavyweights while striving for technological independence.
