Direct:
Korea and the Netherlands have built their chip relationship around ASML's (ASML) EUV tools, which feed Samsung (005930.KS) and SK Hynix (000660.KS) fabs. Both governments now want to widen it into silicon photonics, and Samsung is the natural Korean anchor because it already runs a foundry platform in the field.
The driver is AI datacenter power and bandwidth. Copper interconnect is hitting limits as accelerator clusters scale, and moving data with light instead of electrical signaling is the way around it. The Netherlands carries optical-precision expertise from the same ecosystem that produced ASML, and it has policy money behind integrated photonics: €1.1 billion committed through the national PhotonDelta program, per a Dutch economic affairs official. Dutch ambassador Peter van der Vliet has floated photonics as the next cooperation field directly.
Samsung's side is further along than a diplomatic talking point. It disclosed a 300mm silicon photonics foundry platform in March, built on mature CMOS with a completed PDK, and it has already won an optical module order from an unnamed customer. First production with a lead optical-module customer is set for the second half of 2026. The roadmap then runs optical engines in 2027, full silicon photonics mass production in 2028, and turnkey co-packaged optics in 2029.
Samsung's edge against TSMC (TSM) is integration. TSMC leads on foundry and has its COUPE platform, but Samsung can put HBM, logic foundry, advanced packaging, and silicon photonics in-house, which TSMC cannot match on the memory side. Market forecasts have CPO penetration in AI datacenters near 35% by 2030, so the upside is large if Samsung hits its dates.
Still early, though. The hard commitments so far are Samsung's own product milestones. Government-level cooperation remains loose, and the Dutch capability beyond ASML rests on ASM, BESI (BESI), and TNO rather than one flagship supplier.
Drafted with AI assistance against parallel reporting.
Sources:
- DigiTimes, “Samsung's silicon photonics push adds new layer to Korea-Dutch chip ties” (May 25, 2026, paywalled stub: headline and lead only)
- TrendForce, “South Korea-Netherlands Chip Ties May Go Beyond ASML; Silicon Photonics Seen as a Key Opportunity” (May 25, 2026)
- TrendForce, “Samsung Foundry Reportedly Wins Optical Module Order, Steps Up Silicon Photonics and CPO Drive” (May 1, 2026)
- Nikkei Asia, “South Korea-Netherlands chip partnership goes beyond ASML” (2026)
- DigiTimes, “Samsung reportedly aims to begin silicon photonics mass production in 2028” (Mar 30, 2026)
- DigiTimes, “TSMC says COUPE platform set for production as Samsung outlines SiPh push” (Apr 1, 2026)
- THE ELEC, “Samsung Electronics Launches Silicon Photonics Foundry Business” (2026)
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