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Applied Materials to raise BESI stake to about 20%

By Thomson Reuters Oct 26, 2026 | 4:04 PM

Oct 26 (Reuters) – Applied Materials said on Monday it plans to raise its ​stake in Dutch company ‌BE Semiconductor Industries (BESI) to about 20% from 9%, deepening a partnership focused on advanced chip-packaging technologies ‌used ​in AI applications.

Here ⁠are more details:

• ⁠Applied Materials, BESI’s largest shareholder since buying a 9% stake in April 2025, ​said it entered into an accelerated share purchase agreement ⁠for the ⁠semiconductor equipment maker’s additional ​shares, subject to US antitrust ​review

• The expanded partnership will focus ‌on new chip-connection and packaging technologies aimed at supporting next-generation AI semiconductors

• Applied ⁠Materials said it does not plan to raise its stake beyond about ⁠20% ‌or seek board ⁠representation at BESI

• The ​companies ‌have collaborated since 2020 ​on ⁠hybrid bonding technology, a key advanced packaging technique used in high-performance chips

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Shreya Biswas)