ASML chief: ‘There is only one company making those machines’
One company controls the machines that make the world's chips. ASML's Christophe Fouquet on why that monopoly keeps tightening.
Why it matters
ASML's absolute dominance over advanced lithography equipment—the only maker of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines the industry relies on—shapes every AI chip buildout. Understanding this chokepoint is essential for practitioners evaluating compute strategy and AI infrastructure durability.
The key facts
5 to knowASML is the sole manufacturer of advanced chipmaking equipment; no competitor exists at scale
CEO Christophe Fouquet quoted acknowledging monopoly position
European company; regulatory and geopolitical implications for AI chip supply chains
Controls the technology that enables Nvidia, TSMC, Samsung, Intel advanced node production
Published Sept 28, 2026 (FT interview/profile)
Go to the source
Financial Times Technologyft.com
Publisher excerpt: Christophe Fouquet has built Europe’s biggest business through a total monopoly over the most advanced chipmaking equipment