Value of imported semiconductor manufacturing equipment APAC 2023, by country

In 2023, mainland China overtook Taiwan as the largest importer of semiconductor manufacturing machinery both globally and in the Asia-Pacific region, with an import value exceeding 39.6 billion U.S. dollars. Taiwan ranked second, with imports of semiconductor manufacturing machinery totaling more than 25 billion U.S. dollars, reflecting a 34 percent decrease compared to 2022.

Semiconductor manufacturing equipment suppliers

Companies like ASML, Applied Materials, and Lam Research dominate the semiconductor equipment market. The Dutch company ASML, in particular, plays a central role in advancing EUV (extreme ultraviolet) technology, which is essential for producing the smallest and most advanced chips. The majority of the company’s sales revenue comes from East Asia, where most of the semiconductor manufacturing takes place. In this region, Japan leads in semiconductor equipment manufacturing, with Tokyo Electron being the largest semiconductor equipment maker.

Focus on innovation

As demand for smaller, faster, and more powerful chips continues to rise, driven by artificial intelligence, 5G, cloud computing, and more, continuous innovation is crucial for semiconductor companies to remain competitive. Thus, research and development (R&D) has been the key focus of investment for major technological leaders in the field. For example, U.S. companies invest almost a fifth of their revenue from semiconductors in R&D, while East Asian countries also allocate a significant portion of their revenue towards R&D activities. This strategic emphasis on R&D not only strengthens the technological capabilities of these companies but also positions them to meet the rapidly evolving demands of the global market, paving the way for the next generation of semiconductor advancements.