On December 30, 2025, Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. China (AMEC) announced that it is planning to acquire a controlling stake in Hangzhou Zhonggui Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Hangzhou Zhonggui") through a share issuance and to raise supporting funds. Should this transaction be successfully completed, this leading semiconductor equipment company with a market capitalization exceeding 170 billion yuan is poised to reshape the domestic semiconductor equipment market landscape, accelerating AMEC's transformation into a world-class platform-based equipment enterprise.
As a domestic leader in etching equipment, AMEC's core products already cover process nodes from 65 nanometers down to 5 nanometers and more advanced technologies, with breakthroughs also achieved in the 3D TSV packaging field. However, among the three core types of front-end semiconductor process equipment, AMEC had previously only been involved in etching (dry) and thin-film deposition; wet processing equipment, especially Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP), remained a gap. The acquisition of Hangzhou Zhonggui precisely targets this strategic void.
Founded in 2018, Hangzhou Zhonggui specializes in the research and development of high-end CMP equipment. Its 12-inch equipment utilizes an internationally pioneering 6-polishing-head architecture, breaking away from the mainstream 4-head or 3-head models, and can simultaneously support 3-head/2-head processes to meet advanced node requirements. As of 2025, the company had filed for 237 patents cumulatively, including 120 overseas patents, demonstrating its capability for international intellectual property strategy.
In fact, even prior to this acquisition attempt, AMEC was already the second-largest shareholder of Hangzhou Zhonggui, holding a 12.04% stake. As early as December 2024, AMEC made its initial investment to acquire shares in Hangzhou Zhonggui, and then participated in another strategic investment round in September 2025 alongside Shanghai Guotou and Future Capital. As of this announcement, AMEC holds a total of 12.04% of Hangzhou Zhonggui. If the current transaction is finalized, AMEC will achieve a controlling stake in Hangzhou Zhonggui.
AMEC stated that this merger will create significant strategic synergies between the two companies. It also marks a crucial step for AMEC towards "conglomeration" and "platformization," aligning with the company's strategic plan to continuously expand its integrated circuit coverage areas through a combination of organic growth and external acquisitions.
It is important to note, however, that this transaction still faces uncertainties. The involved parties have not yet signed a formal agreement, and specific terms are still under discussion and evaluation. Subsequent approvals from the company's Board of Directors, shareholders' meetings, and relevant regulatory authorities are required before implementation. The ultimate success of these approvals remains uncertain. Investors are advised to rely on announcements from designated information disclosure media, invest rationally, and be mindful of investment risks.
Note: This article incorporates AI-generated content. The views expressed herein are not intended as investment advice and are for reference only. The market carries risks, and investment requires caution.
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