ASML

ASML, the world's largest chipmaking equipment manufacturer, scrapped inclusion and diversity targets in the US following Trump administration pressure on DEI programs. The company was among several Dutch firms rethinking diversity policies in response to US decrees.

ASML achieved carbon net neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025 with a 90% reduction from 2019 baseline, meeting Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments. The company set ambitious long-term goals: greenhouse gas neutrality across entire value chain by 2040 and zero waste to landfill/incineration by 2030. Currently manages 86% of 8,900 tonnes annual waste sustainably through recycling and waste-to-energy. In 2024, ASML innovatively shipped DUV system via sea instead of air, demonstrating ESG integration across operations.

The ASML Junior Academy, launched in 2022 in collaboration with Mad Science, achieved a major milestone in 2025 with 500 schools in the Veldhoven region participating. The program provides free STEM education to 125,000 children within a 35-kilometer radius of Veldhoven, Netherlands, and Wilton, United States. Each class receives six workshops annually (75 different workshop types available), with five led by Mad Science staff and one by an ASML employee when possible. The program aims to improve quality and accessibility of STEM education for all children.

Dutch investigation by Nieuwsuur uncovered that ASML sold parts to a subsidiary of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), a state-owned company supplying technology to the Chinese military. Also sold a DUV lithography machine to Shenzhen International Quantum Academy, which conducts research with potential military uses. ASML said the equipment was 'old technology that can't be used to produce state-of-the-art chips.'

ASML CEO Peter Wennink expressed concerns about Dutch political decisions limiting work immigration, saying such measures could have major consequences for ASML, which employs over 9,000 non-Dutch nationals (40% of its 22,860 Dutch employees). The Dutch government responded with 'Project Beethoven' and pledged €2.5 billion in infrastructure and education to prevent ASML from leaving.

ASML canceled shipments of some machines to China at the request of US President Biden's administration, weeks before export bans came into effect. US officials reached out to ASML to ask them to immediately halt pre-scheduled shipments to Chinese customers. China revenue dropped from 29% of sales to expected 20% in 2025 due to export controls.

In 2023, ASML violated a 'gentlemen's agreement' with the United States by selling far more chip-making machines to China than agreed during September 2023-January 2024. According to a book by former Bloomberg journalists, then-CEO Peter Wennink suggested ASML could provide the U.S. with insight into Chinese chip factories in exchange for allowing ASML engineers to continue serving Chinese customers, with a senior American official stating 'ASML could be Washington's eyes and ears in China.' ASML denied the claim, calling it 'factually incorrect and significantly misleading.'

In 2023, ASML's hiring practices caused controversy when a Rotterdam anti-discrimination foundation filed a complaint over the company rejecting job applicants from certain countries. ASML routinely checks whether employees perform export-controlled work and requires 'the employee must have nationality or permanent residency in a country that does not fall into one of the US Commerce Department's D:1, E:1 or E:2 country groups,' which include Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, and about 20 other countries including China and Russia. The Netherlands' Institute for Human Rights affirmed ASML may refuse applicants when required by US export rules.