The three largest semiconductor companies in the Netherlands

In the rapidly evolving global technological landscape, the semiconductor industry serves as the cornerstone of our interconnected world. Beyond traditional powerhouses like the United States, Japan, and South Korea, the Netherlands is quietly emerging as a central force in the semiconductor sector.

With a strong foundation in technological innovation, a well-developed industrial ecosystem, and an open, collaborative environment, the Netherlands holds a unique and critical position in the global semiconductor value chain.

The Dutch semiconductor ecosystem features a well-coordinated, multi-layered structure, combining globally influential industry giants with rapidly growing startups. From fundamental research and chip design to manufacturing equipment and advanced packaging, the Netherlands covers nearly every critical segment of the semiconductor value chain.

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s most important semiconductor markets and one of the few countries worldwide with a complete semiconductor value chain spanning from design to equipment.

Its industrial structure broadly includes the following segments:

• Upstream R&D and design: home to world-class applied research institutes and innovative chip architecture companies.
• Midstream manufacturing equipment and processes: leading in lithography and key semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• Downstream packaging and application integration: expanding in advanced packaging, system integration, and IoT applications.

This high degree of integration—from research to production—enables the Netherlands to play an irreplaceable role in the global semiconductor industry.

NXP Semiconductors | Design and Innovation Representative

Headquarters: Eindhoven, Netherlands

• NXP is one of the Netherlands' most representative multinational semiconductor design companies and a global leader in automotive and IoT chips.
• In 2022, NXP reported global revenue exceeding USD 13 billion, with nearly USD 7 billion from automotive and USD 3 billion from industrial and IoT markets, demonstrating the success of its diversified strategy.
• NXP played a crucial role in the invention and standardization of NFC technology alongside Sony, transforming mobile phones from communication devices into platforms for secure payments and seamless data exchange.
• Its product portfolio spans MCUs, automotive-grade chips, security ICs, and wireless modules, with applications in automotive, industrial control, mobile devices, and infrastructure.

ASML｜Global lithography equipment giant

Headquarters: Veldhoven, Netherlands

• ASML is the undisputed global leader in lithography equipment and a key driver of chip manufacturing advancement.
• In 2022, ASML generated approximately EUR 21 billion in revenue, underscoring its unmatched financial and technological influence in the semiconductor industry.
• ASML’s core products are lithography systems for advanced chip manufacturing. Its EUV technology has enabled 5nm and below process nodes, fundamentally reshaping semiconductor production.
• Beyond ASML, other Dutch companies such as ASM International (thin-film equipment) and BESI (advanced packaging) have also emerged as key players, strengthening the Netherlands' strategic position in global semiconductor manufacturing.

BESI｜The Driving Force of Advanced Packaging and Processes

Headquarters: Duiven, Netherlands

• BESI focuses on high-precision semiconductor packaging and assembly equipment and is a major player in the Dutch semiconductor equipment industry.
• BESI’s equipment supports various packaging technologies—from traditional to 3D and heterogeneous integration—and is renowned for its precision and yield, serving applications in HPC, consumer electronics, and automotive semiconductors.
• With its highly specialized capabilities, BESI has become a key supplier to many of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers.

Although the Dutch semiconductor industry is not as massive as that of the US or as capacity-focused as China, its technological depth, integrated value chain, and global collaboration grant it a unique position in the global landscape.

From NXP’s design innovation to ASML’s equipment leadership and BESI’s process breakthroughs, the Netherlands is shaping the future of the semiconductor industry through a “small but strong” model.

For component distributors and semiconductor companies, understanding these technologies and trends provides strategic insights into global supply chain dynamics and market opportunities.