Intel Corp’s global investment arm, has purchased 4% of ASM International's (ASMI) total common share capital, leaving 54 million common shares outstanding.

The Netherlands-based ASMI supplies equipment and materials for producing semiconductor devices, both front-end wafer processing and back-end packaging tools, and is one of Intel’s key fab tool suppliers.

“Equipment and materials innovation is critical to enabling new capabilities in semiconductor device manufacturing,” said Arvind Sodhani, Intel executive VP and president of Intel Capital, in a statement. “Our investment in ASMI is part of Intel Capital’s strategy to foster innovation that aligns with Intel’s manufacturing technology roadmap.”

Intel’s support comes just after ASMI reported lackluster Q1 results. Q1 net sales stood at $119 million (EUR 89.1 million), down 41% from Q4 2008 and down 55% from Q1 2008. On the upside, future prospects are hopeful with bookings in Q1 at $112.8 million (EUR 84.4 million), up 4% from Q4 2008. 

Intel isn’t the only company to invest in ASMI at a time when financial results appear weakened. Last month rival TEL (Tokyo Electron Ltd) purchased 4.9% of ASMI's total common share capital. TEL said its participation in ASMI is intended as a long-term investment, without any intention of increasing ASMI shareholding. In December, the companies entered into a licensing partnership concerning ASMI’s ALD (atomic layer deposition) patents in the field of batch ALD.

By: DocMemory
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