BE Semiconductor

Duiven, Netherlandswww.besi.com/
Invested through
  • Triodos Pioneer Impact Fund
  • Triodos Multi Impact Fund
  • Triodos Impact Strategy Fund - Defensive
  • Triodos Impact Strategy Fund - Balanced
  • Triodos Impact Strategy Fund - Offensive
  • Triodos Impact Strategy Fund - Dynamic
Asset ClassesListed equity
Impact strategyImpact Equities and Bonds
ISIN codeNL0012866412
Industry groupSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
Aligned with SDGs
  • Good health and well-being

BE Semiconductor manufactures machines for the assembly and packaging of chips. Once a chip is produced, it needs to go through another process to enable the chip to make a connection with a printed circuit board. BE Semiconductor has machines for each of the steps in chip assembly and packaging process. These machines are sold to companies that produce their own chips (for example, STMicroelectronics) or to companies that only produce chips for third parties (TSMC). The company's machines produce chips used in autos, smartphones, computers, etc. The company has production facilities in the Netherlands, Switzerland, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US. Over 80% of revenue is generated in Asia. BE Semiconductor was founded in 1995 and has more than 1,600 employees. The company is based in Duiven, the Netherlands.

Investment rationale

BE Semiconductor contributes to the Innovation for Sustainability theme. With modern life increasingly taking place online, our society is demanding ever more computing power. Without improvements in the design or the production of chips, this demand cannot be met without a concurrent increase in power supply. Through its machines, BE Semiconductor enables electronic devices to become more energy efficient. The company has a leading position in the market for advanced packaging machines. A study from a leading consultancy found that such machines are key to lower power consumption of electronic devices. This is because they enable better integration between subcomponents of a chip package. Next to this, the machines enable smaller device sizes. BE Semiconductor also develops machines that are used to produce solar cells, lithium-ion batteries and LEDs. We therefore believe the company’s machines are an Innovation for Sustainability.