ASML Holding N.V., the world’s leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Marco Pieters as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The move highlights ASML’s ongoing commitment to advancing next-generation chipmaking technologies as global demand for advanced semiconductors continues to surge.
Veteran Engineer to Lead ASML’s Technology Vision
Pieters, a 25-year veteran at ASML, will now lead the company’s global research and technology strategy, overseeing innovation across its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems. His leadership comes at a pivotal time for ASML, as the company plays a central role in enabling smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient chips that power modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and high-performance computing.
“Marco has been an integral part of ASML’s innovation journey for decades,” said Peter Wennink, ASML’s President and CEO. “His deep technical expertise and leadership will ensure ASML remains at the forefront of semiconductor technology in an era defined by AI, high-performance computing, and sustainable manufacturing.”
Guiding ASML’s Next Wave of Innovation
As CTO, Pieters will spearhead ASML’s technology roadmap, including the ongoing development of High-NA EUV systems — the company’s most advanced lithography tools designed to deliver higher precision and improved efficiency in chip production. He will also oversee advancements in next-generation DUV platforms that continue to support mass manufacturing at leading semiconductor fabs worldwide.
With semiconductor complexity rising and geopolitical tensions reshaping global supply chains, ASML’s R&D leadership has become more critical than ever. Pieters’ appointment is widely seen as a strategic move to bolster the company’s innovation capabilities and ensure technological dominance amid intense global competition.
Industry Impact and Global Reach
ASML’s technologies are essential to the success of major chipmakers such as TSMC, Intel, and Samsung, who rely on ASML’s lithography systems for advanced process nodes used in emerging fields like AI, autonomous systems, and quantum computing. The company’s unique position as the sole supplier of EUV lithography tools makes its R&D direction pivotal to the semiconductor industry’s future.
“With Marco Pieters as CTO, ASML is reinforcing its focus on innovation and maintaining its technological edge over competitors,” said Anna Becker, semiconductor analyst at TechInsights. “His appointment underscores ASML’s strategy to deepen research leadership while scaling production to meet global chip demand.”
Continuing ASML’s Mission to Advance Society
Pieters, who will assume his new role immediately, will lead global teams across the Netherlands, the United States, and Asia. His focus will be on driving breakthroughs in semiconductor manufacturing while aligning with ASML’s mission to “unlock the potential of technology to advance society.”
As the semiconductor industry races to support the exponential growth of AI and data-driven applications, Pieters’ appointment positions ASML to remain the innovation backbone of the world’s most advanced technology ecosystems.
