Applied Materials increases stake in Besi to approximately 20%, stepping up AI chip equipment collaboration.

October 27 - According to Bloomberg, U.S. semiconductor equipment company Applied Materials has increased its stake in Dutch peer BE Semiconductor Industries (Besi) to approximately 20%. When Applied Materials first invested in Besi in April last year, it held about a 9% stake. This increased stake indicates that Applied Materials is further deepening its business ties with Besi; however, the company stated that it currently has no plans to further increase its stake or seek a seat on Besi's board of directors.

The two companies have had a six-year partnership. Besi recently joined Applied Materials' EPIC chip equipment R&D center in Silicon Valley, and the two sides plan to strengthen cooperation on AI computing-related products and technologies. As demand for AI computing power grows, manufacturing technologies that enhance chip performance and energy efficiency are drawing attention.

Besi specializes in chip packaging and hybrid bonding technology, which can be used to improve chip performance. Applied Materials called this investment a long-term investment and said it has no intention of acquiring Besi. The report also mentioned that Besi recently responded to market concerns about ASML potentially entering the hybrid bonding field and thereby competing with it.