ASML Sold Nothing in Europe in 2026
ASML, the Dutch semiconductor lithography giant and Europe's most valuable tech company, says it sold "absolutely nothing" in Europe in 2026. The company called on the EU to help create demand for chip manufacturing on the continent. The story reached 223 points on Hacker News with 545 comments[1][2].
The headline
ASML is the only company in the world that makes extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, which are essential for manufacturing the most advanced semiconductors. Despite being headquartered in Veldhoven, Netherlands, the company reported zero European sales in 2026. The quote from ASML: "We're not selling anything at all in Europe. That's because Europe isn't investing and because no chip factories are being built there"[2].
Why Europe is not buying
The European semiconductor manufacturing landscape has struggled to materialize despite ambitious EU plans. The European Chips Act, designed to double the EU's global semiconductor market share to 20% by 2030, has not yet translated into the kind of fab construction boom seen in the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea. Major chipmakers have preferred to invest in regions with more established supply chains, larger subsidies, or closer proximity to end customers[1][2].
Intel's planned megafab in Magdeburg, Germany, was once expected to be a cornerstone of European chip manufacturing. TSMC's Dresden joint venture focuses on older process nodes rather than the cutting-edge technology that would require ASML's most advanced EUV machines. The result is that demand for ASML's most expensive products in Europe remains effectively zero[2].
ASML's call to action
ASML called on the EU to help create demand for advanced chip manufacturing in Europe, arguing that without domestic fabs, the continent's semiconductor supply chain remains entirely dependent on imports. The company's position is notable because ASML is itself European, yet its entire customer base for leading-edge lithography is in Asia and the United States[1][2].
HN discussion highlights
The Hacker News discussion, with 545 comments, was one of the most active threads of the week. Commenters debated whether Europe would accept being a manufacturer only, or whether the continent would eventually leverage "latecomer advantage" to build its own chip industry[2].
The discussion also touched on the broader energy question: advanced semiconductor fabs require enormous amounts of power, and commenters debated whether Europe's energy mix, particularly the German nuclear phaseout, made large-scale chip manufacturing impractical. One commenter noted that even France's coastal nuclear plants face summer shutdowns due to cooling issues[2].
Others pointed out that ASML's situation is not as dire as the headline suggests. The company's global revenue comes primarily from Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and China. Europe's lack of domestic fabs means ASML's home market is simply too small to matter for its bottom line, even if the political symbolism of a Dutch company selling nothing in Europe is striking[2].
The bigger picture
ASML's Europe zero is less about ASML's health and more about Europe's semiconductor ambitions. The company continues to dominate its niche globally. But the fact that the world's most advanced lithography company cannot find a single buyer on its own continent illustrates how far the EU's chip manufacturing plans still are from becoming reality[1][2].
Sources
[1] Tom's Hardware: "ASML says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe in 2026, calls on EU to help create demand"
[2] Hacker News discussion (223 points, 545 comments)