China’s semiconductor equipment leader AMEC has established its plasma-etching technology as a global industry standard, with major international competitors now adopting its solutions amid China's drive for tech independence.
- AMEC’s plasma-etching tech is now an industry standard globally
- Supports chip fabrication from 65nm nodes to advanced 3nm processes
- Taiwan’s TSMC and SMIC among key customers using AMEC tools
What happened
Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC), a prominent Chinese semiconductor equipment manufacturer, revealed that its plasma-etching technology has become an industry standard and is being adopted by major international competitors. The announcement came in a televised interview with the company’s chairman and founder, Gerald Yin Zhiyao. AMEC’s etching tools currently cover a wide range of chipmaking process nodes, from mature 65nm to state-of-the-art 5nm and 3nm technologies.
Additionally, leading global chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) uses some of AMEC’s equipment within its supply chain, underscoring the international acceptance of the company’s products. AMEC has also supplied over 800 machines to China’s top foundry, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), further cementing its importance in the domestic industry.
Why it matters
AMEC’s technological advancements reflect China’s ambition to reduce dependence on foreign semiconductor equipment amid escalating US export restrictions targeting Chinese technology firms. By offering homegrown alternatives across 17 categories of manufacturing tools previously dominated by international suppliers, AMEC bolsters the nation’s pursuit of semiconductor self-sufficiency.
The semiconductor equipment market continues its robust growth, with global sales hitting a record $135.1 billion in 2025. Mainland China remains the largest market, accounting for over 36% of global demand. This growth, driven by areas such as AI servers and high-performance computing, creates significant opportunities for domestic companies like AMEC despite geopolitical pressures.
What to watch next
Investors and industry watchers should track AMEC’s ongoing innovation and market expansion as the company recently raised its full-year order forecast to 50% growth and posted a near 200% increase in first-quarter net profit. Revenue from its chemical vapor deposition equipment surged by more than 224% last year, signaling continued momentum.
While AMEC has made landmark progress, challenges remain as Chinese equipment makers still lag behind leading US, Japanese, and Dutch firms in certain cutting-edge lithography and process technologies. Future developments in closing this gap and further international adoption of Chinese semiconductor tools will be critical indicators of China’s technological ascent.