Aroot to Absorb NSRC, Directly Manage Semiconductor Lithography Equipment Business

Aroot is restructuring its governance to develop its semiconductor equipment business into a core business. After completing the acquisition of the remaining stake in its subsidiary NSRC, it has decided to absorb and merge the company and will make direct investments in its lithography equipment business while expanding global orders.

Aroot announced on October 27 that it had recently completed the acquisition of the remaining 30% stake in NSRC and decided to absorb and merge the subsidiary. The merger ratio is 1 to 0, and the merger date is January 1, 2027.

Through the merger, NSRC's semiconductor equipment business capabilities will become part of Aroot's core business. Aroot, a listed company, plans to directly lead the semiconductor equipment business, which has until now been operated mainly through its subsidiary, and strengthen R&D investment, cooperation with global customers, and order-winning activities.

NSRC is expanding its business in the lithography equipment refurbishment market. Lithography equipment is essential for forming circuit patterns on wafers during semiconductor manufacturing and is a field with high barriers to entry. While increasing orders for lithography equipment from global semiconductor companies, NSRC recently secured an order from a major Taiwanese semiconductor company and entered the AI data center value chain.

The company is also expanding its product lineup. In addition to its existing i-line and krypton fluoride (KrF) equipment, it has expanded into argon fluoride (ArF) equipment. Alongside equipment supply, it is expanding its high-value-added technical services business. It is also strengthening its total lithography equipment solution capabilities by recruiting additional expert engineers formerly employed by major semiconductor companies, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

Following the merger, Aroot plans to step up its push into the high-value-added lithography equipment market by increasing investment in its semiconductor equipment business. In particular, with demand for power semiconductors for AI data centers surging this year and the likelihood of large-scale new supply contracts increasing, the company plans to focus its sales capabilities on securing additional orders.

A company official said, "As NSRC's global order wins and technological competitiveness are becoming evident, we decided on this merger to bring the related business in-house and have Aroot, as a listed company, lead the semiconductor business." The official added, "After the merger, we will secure orders through proactive R&D and cooperation with global customers, while pursuing earnings growth and enhanced corporate value."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.