Applied Materials to raise BESI stake to about 20%

Key facts

• Applied Materials agreed to raise its stake in BE Semiconductor Industries to about 20%.
• The investment is subject to US antitrust review.
• Applied Materials does not plan to seek board representation at BESI.
• The companies have collaborated on hybrid bonding technology since 2020.

Applied Materials announced on October 26 an agreement to increase its investment in BE Semiconductor Industries (BESI) to approximately 20% of its outstanding shares, up from its current 9% stake acquired in April 2025. The move, which is subject to US antitrust review, deepens a strategic partnership focused on advanced chip-packaging technologies crucial for next-generation AI semiconductors. Applied Materials stated it does not intend to increase its stake beyond 20% or seek board representation at BESI. The companies have collaborated on hybrid bonding technology since 2020, and recently expanded their cooperation to include new interconnect architectures and applications.