Intel Explores Chipmaking Technology from Company with Ties to Sanctioned China Unit
Published: 16 Dec 2025
Author: Precedence Research
A leading semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturer based in Fremont, U.S., ACM Research conducts large-scale business in China. Its main customer is SK Hynix, a South Korean semiconductor vendor that offers wafer-cleaning machinery. ACM Research also has a strong connection to the Chinese government, which is a major concern for the U.S. regarding its safety and data privacy.
Thus, in December 2024, the U.S. government restricted the export of any equipment to ACM’s divisions in Shanghai and South Korea under its export control law, citing ACM's alleged involvement with the Chinese military, which uses advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
According to the sources, Intel has acquired semiconductor manufacturing equipment from Shanghai and the South Korean division of ACM Research. This equipment is a wet etching tool used to remove unwanted parts from silicon wafers, a critical step in semiconductor manufacturing. This equipment is expected to be highly applicable to Intel’s cutting-edge 14A chip manufacturing process. The first semiconductor that will be manufactured using Intel’s 14A process is expected to be revealed in 2027. Intel further introduces their 14A process, and its overview claims to improve performance by 15-20% compared to 18A-GIGAZINE.
However, it has not yet confirmed whether Intel used this wet-etching tool in its 14A process, nor is there any strong evidence of a violation of U.S. export law by Intel. Further, Intel issued a statement suggesting that ACM Research's wet etching tools are not used in our semiconductor manufacturing processes, and that we comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations.
ACM Research further said it could not point out a specific customer transaction. Still, it recognized that ACM Research’s U.S. team has already sold various tools that were manufactured in Asia to U.S. consumers. They further stated that ACM Research has shipped three pieces of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to a leading U.S. semiconductor manufacturer.
However, concerns are growing among U.S. lawmakers amid the current situation, as Chinese semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturers are expanding globally, creating panic in the U.S. due to their decades-long dominance.