Applied Materials will increase its holding in BE Semiconductor Industries to about 20% of the Dutch company's outstanding shares, it said on 26 October 2026, more than doubling the roughly 9% stake it acquired in April 2025. The price was not disclosed.
Why Applied Materials, Inc. is buying BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. (Besi) – stake increase to about 20%
The two companies have collaborated since 2020 on integrated hybrid bonding systems for leading chipmakers, and Besi recently joined Applied's EPIC Center as an innovation partner. Besi said the investment confirmed its hybrid bonding and wafer-level assembly strategy.
“We welcome Applied’s increased strategic investment as further confirmation of Besi’s hybrid bonding and wafer-level assembly strategy.”
Deal terms and financing
Applied entered an accelerated share purchase agreement for the shares. It said it views the holding as long-term, currently has no intention to increase it beyond about 20% and does not intend to seek board representation at Besi.
Regulatory approvals and timing
Delivery of the shares is subject to the expiry or termination of the waiting period under the US Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Under Dutch rules a mandatory bid is triggered at 30%, Reuters noted.
Market context
Besi shares rose 8.8% to €159.20 on 27 October, having halved from their June high. Degroof Petercam analyst Michael Roeg told clients that Applied would like to acquire Besi outright but that Chinese authorities would likely block such a deal, Reuters reported.
