Applied Materials, Inc. has announced a strategic investment in BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. (Besi) by purchasing 9% of the outstanding shares of its common stock. This investment follows four years of successful collaboration between the two companies on hybrid bonding technology for advanced packaging in the semiconductor industry.
The collaboration between Applied Materials and Besi has resulted in the development of the industry's first fully integrated equipment solution for die-based hybrid bonding. Hybrid bonding is an increasingly important technology for advanced semiconductor packaging, as it allows for direct copper-to-copper bonds, increasing density and improving overall performance, power consumption, and cost.
Terry Lee, Corporate Vice President and General Manager at Applied Materials, emphasized the strategic and long-term nature of the investment, highlighting its commitment to co-developing the most capable hybrid bonding solution for the advanced logic and memory chips essential to AI technology.
The integrated hybrid bonding system co-developed by Applied Materials and Besi is designed to meet the high-volume manufacturing needs of chipmakers in the coming years. It combines Applied's expertise in front-end wafer and chip processing with Besi's leading die placement, interconnect, and assembly solutions.
The investment in Besi was made through market-based transactions and does not require regulatory approvals. Applied Materials clarified that it does not intend to seek board representation at Besi, nor does it have plans to purchase additional shares of Besi common stock.
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT) is a leader in materials engineering solutions for producing chips and advanced displays, with expertise in modifying materials at atomic levels on an industrial scale.
This strategic investment underscores Applied Materials' dedication to advancing semiconductor packaging technology and its continued collaboration with Besi to deliver innovative solutions to customers in the industry. The market has reacted to these announcements by moving the company's shares 1.5% to a price of $146.73. If you want to know more, read the company's complete 8-K report here.
