Major semiconductor makers have responded to chip shortages with a major expansion of their facilities. Some have chosen expand existing factoriesothers to invest in new facilitiesand the largest in the sector have implemented both options.
These movements have been very well received by manufacturers of equipment for the manufacture of semiconductors, such as ASML, which is living a golden moment because of that chip shortage and the impact it has had on equipment sales.
However, ASML itself has stepped in to give its opinion on this situation, and the truth is that its comments they are a whole dose of realism which clashes with the optimism of other sources that pointed to the end of the chip shortage in 2023. According to this company, the shortage of semiconductors will continue in 2023, and maybe also in 2024, even despite the efforts that are being carried out. out the big ones in the sector to expand their production capacity.
This has an explanation, and that is that although supply increases, demand is also doing so, and in a constant and very marked way. In other words, even if the manufacturing capacity of semiconductors is increased, demand will continue to exceed the amount that can be produced.
The situation is so complicated that even ASML has to deal with its own supply problems, and has explained that delivery times are getting longer, so much so that in some cases They go beyond 18 months. It goes without saying that this greatly complicates the long-awaited recovery of the semiconductor sector, and lengthens the problem of the shortage of chips.
ASML has said that it can cover, in the best of cases, about 60% of the demand for advanced lithography machinery, a figure that is not being sufficient, and that has led some large companies to resort to mass purchase of washing machines with a clear and simple objective: remove the chips to reconvert them into solutions according to their needs. He did not want to name names, but points to a large “industrial conglomerate”, a fairly clear clue.
It may seem unorthodox, but the truth is that it is a more interesting idea than having to cut production targets, or resort to resellers who, in the end, end up charging extortionate prices. Before finishing a note, if you think that things look bad, do not forget the words that the CEO of Rivian said at the time, and that is that he believes that the shortage of chips it’s going to seem like a snack compared to the shortage of lithium ion batteries what is to come
