Berliner Glas GmbH

What Berliner Glas GmbH does

Berliner Glas GmbH, founded in 1952 and headquartered at Waldkraiburger Str. 5 in Berlin, Germany, was a precision glass and optics manufacturer specializing in high-tolerance optical components. Following its 2022 acquisition by ASML Holding N.V., the entity was rebranded as ASML Berlin AG and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary within ASML's German operating footprint. The Berlin facility now develops and manufactures key components for ASML's semiconductor lithography systems, including wafer stages (positioning wafers with quarter-nanometer accuracy at 20,000 adjustments per second), wafer-handling systems (robotic arms with 25µm positioning accuracy), contributions to optical columns and multi-layer mirror systems, and light-source subsystems. Its product portfolio also includes EUV and DUV lithography systems (manufactured by the broader ASML group), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and digitalization/data-driven manufacturing software, with analysis software developed at the associated Dresden site.

The entity's commercial model is structurally captive: as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASML Holding N.V., its customer is effectively its parent, with revenue flowing through intercompany transfer arrangements tied to ASML's lithography system production volumes rather than independent third-party sales. End customers of the lithography systems into which Berlin's components are integrated include the major global semiconductor foundries and IDMs (such as TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and SK Hynix), but these relationships are mediated by ASML Holding. The entity is governed by a board chaired by Dr. Markus Matthes, with board representatives Sören Scholz and Knut Söller, and operates under the legal framework of a public limited company registered in Berlin (HRB 289794 B, AG Charlottenburg).

Within ASML's three-site German structure (Berlin for key components, Dresden for customer support and next-generation analysis software, Erlangen for light-source and laser technology), the Berlin facility functions as the precision-manufacturing hub. Its competitive position rests on decades of accumulated know-how in ultra-precision optics, deep integration with ASML's co-engineering processes, and the structural switching costs inherent to qualifying alternative suppliers for sub-nanometer lithography subsystems. No independent external revenue, marketing channels, distribution channels, or pricing models are disclosed for the entity itself, consistent with its role as an internal manufacturing node rather than an arm's-length commercial business.

Name

Berliner Glas GmbH

Legal name

ASML Berlin AG

Website

https://berlinerglas.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Berliner Glas GmbH, acquired by ASML in 2022 and now operating as ASML Berlin AG, manufactures precision optical key components — wafer stages, wafer-handling systems, and optical column subsystems — for ASML's EUV and DUV semiconductor lithography systems as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor Lithography Components

NAICS

Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Lithography Equipment (DUV/EUV) (HDAHAEAA)

Keywords

• Precision optical components
• Semiconductor lithography systems
• EUV lithography equipment
• Wafer handling systems
• Photonics manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Core offering

Berliner Glas GmbH, operating as ASML Berlin AG since 2022, develops and manufactures high-precision key components for ASML's EUV and DUV semiconductor lithography systems, including wafer stages, optical columns, laser-produced plasma light sources, and wafer-handling systems. The Berlin facility also produces manufacturing execution systems (MES) and digitalization solutions, while the associated Dresden site develops next-generation analysis software for semiconductor manufacturing. All offerings function as integrated subsystems within ASML's lithography machines that produce advanced microchips.

Product overview

Berliner Glas GmbH, now operating as ASML Berlin following its acquisition in 2022, develops and manufactures key precision components for ASML lithography systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. The product portfolio includes EUV and DUV lithography systems along with critical sub-components such as Wafer Stages, Light Sources (laser-produced plasma), Optical Columns with multi-layer mirrors, and Wafer-Handling systems. The company also provides manufacturing execution systems (MES) and digitalization solutions, as well as analysis software. These products work together as integrated subsystems within ASML's semiconductor lithography machines, with Berlin serving as a key manufacturing hub for high-precision components and Dresden focusing on software development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EUV Lithography Systems (EUV Lithografiesysteme)
• DUV Lithography Systems (DUV Lithografiesysteme) Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems used for chip production, complementing EUV systems for various semiconductor manufacturing requirements. The Berlin facility contributes key components to these systems for global semiconductor manufacturers.
• Wafer Stage (Wafer Stage) Precision wafer positioning component for ASML lithography systems, positioning wafers with quarter-nanometer accuracy and controlling/adjusting 20,000 times per second during lithography exposure. Built for integration into ASML's advanced lithography machines.
• Light Source (Lichtquelle) - Laser-Produced Plasma (LPP) Laser-produced plasma (LPP) light source that generates EUV light by vaporizing tin droplets with laser pulses heated to approximately 500,000 K, repeated 50,000 times per second. Developed in cooperation with ASML's Erlangen light source and laser technology team.
• Optical Column (Optische Säule) Multi-layer mirror system that directs EUV light onto the wafer, reducing pattern dimensions by a factor of four. A critical sub-system of ASML's EUV lithography machines.
• Wafer-Handling System Precision robotic arms that transport wafers through airlocks with 25µm positioning accuracy and uniform surface temperature of 2mK. Built for integration into ASML's lithography systems.
• Manufacturing Execution System (MES) / Digitalization (Digitalisierung) Computer-aided manufacturing systems used in production to control the transformation of raw materials into finished products, digital transformation, data-driven manufacturing, and processing/evaluation of measurement data for semiconductor and precision manufacturing operations.
• Analysis Software (Analysesoftware) Next-generation analysis software developed at the Dresden location for semiconductor manufacturing analysis, supporting data-driven decision-making in chip production.

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Schott AG: Schott is a German specialty glass and optics manufacturer with deep expertise in high-precision optical materials, comparable heritage to Berliner Glas in precision glass manufacturing for industrial and semiconductor applications.
• TRUMPF: TRUMPF supplies the high-power CO2 laser systems used to drive EUV light sources via laser-produced plasma (LPP), and is co-located with ASML at the Erlangen site. Comparable as a strategic Tier-1 supplier of critical lithography subsystems with deep German engineering roots.
• Cymer (Lam Research subsidiary): Cymer, now part of Lam Research, historically developed EUV light source technology and continues as a key subsystem supplier to ASML. Comparable as a developer and manufacturer of EUV light source technology used in advanced lithography.
• Carl Zeiss SMT: Carl Zeiss SMT is ASML's exclusive supplier of the optical projection lens/mirror systems for EUV lithography, including the multi-layer mirrors referenced in ASML Berlin's optical column product. It is the closest direct peer in precision optical sub-components for semiconductor lithography equipment.

Regional players

• SÜSS MicroTec: SÜSS MicroTec is a German-headquartered supplier of equipment and process solutions for semiconductor and MEMS manufacturing, comparable as a European precision equipment supplier serving the semiconductor capital equipment ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Jenoptik AG: Jenoptik is a German photonics and optics company supplying precision optical components, laser systems, and metrology solutions to semiconductor equipment manufacturers, comparable in scale and German precision manufacturing heritage.
• II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent Corp.): Coherent (formerly II-VI) supplies advanced optical components, laser systems, and materials used in semiconductor lithography and inspection equipment, with comparable positioning as a Tier-1 supplier of optical sub-components for the chip manufacturing ecosystem.
• Edwards Vacuum (Atlas Copco): Edwards supplies vacuum and abatement systems integrated into EUV lithography tools. While not optical, it is a comparable Tier-1 subsystem supplier with long-standing ASML partnership supplying critical EUV system components.
• MKS Instruments (including ESI Laser Solutions): MKS Instruments provides lasers, photonics components, and process control instrumentation used in semiconductor capital equipment manufacturing, comparable in serving the lithography and adjacent equipment market with precision sub-systems.

Emerging players

• ASMPT (ASMPT Semiconductor Solutions): ASMPT supplies precision motion, bonding, and assembly equipment used in semiconductor back-end manufacturing, with comparable expertise in high-precision motion control relevant to wafer positioning systems produced at ASML Berlin.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berlinerglasgmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Berliner Glas GmbH