Intel has tested chipmaking tools from a tool maker connected to China facilities that are under U.S. sanctions, sources familiar with the matter say. The firm, ACM Research, has units in Shanghai and South Korea that were barred from receiving U.S. technology last year over concerns they aided Chinese government and military tech efforts.
The equipment tested were wet etch tools, key for cleaning and shaping silicon wafers in semiconductor production. Intel evaluated the tools to see if they could work in its future 14A chipmaking process, set for launch by 2027. Intel said the tools are not used in its actual production lines, and the company stressed it follows all U.S. laws and regulations.
ACM denies that its tools pose a security threat. It confirmed its U.S. team has delivered several tools to customers, but would not discuss specific deals.
Still, some lawmakers and national security experts fear that using tools linked to sanctioned China units could expose sensitive U.S. technology or deepen reliance on equipment tied to Chinese interests. They argue this could weaken U.S. chip supply chains or aid tech development in rival nations.
Intel’s testing comes amid broader debate over the role of Chinese-linked tech in America’s semiconductor industry, and regulators may watch these developments closely.
#SemiconductorIndustry
#IntelChipTools
#SanctionedChinaUnit
#ACMResearch
#SemiconductorSecurity
#ChipmakingTools
#NationalSecurityConcern
#14AProcess
#TechRegulation
#USChinaTechTies
