Dutch semiconductor toolmaker Nearfield Instruments sets up shop in S'pore, plans regional expansion
SINGAPORE – The Netherland's Nearfield Instruments plans to make Singapore an innovation and service hub for its machines that help chipmakers boost production yield and efficiency of their integrated circuit devices.
The company, which counts Temasek as one of its key investors, is in talks with several local precision engineering firms over its plans.
They will manufacture parts and modules of its equipment that provide highly accurate nanometer-level measurements of individual, and even buried, features and defects especially in advanced memory and logic chips for AI that are more complex.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Independent Singapore
3 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Former DPM Teo Chee Hean to take over as Temasek chairman in Oct, succeeding Lim Boon Heng
Photo: Facebook/Temasek SINGAPORE: Former senior minister Teo Chee Hean will succeed Mr Lim Boon Heng as the fifth chairman of Singapore's investment company, Temasek Holdings, the company announced on Friday (June 6). Mr Teo will first join Temasek's board as deputy chairman on July 1, before taking over as chairman on Oct 9, after the company's third-quarter board meeting this year. Mr Lim served 12 years as chairman during his 13-year tenure as Temasek's board director. Under his leadership, Temasek's net portfolio grew from S$223 billion in 2014 to S$389 billion in 2024. He led the company's global expansion in Europe and the US and its community efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also built strong ties between Temasek, its portfolio companies, workers, and the government. 'In my 13 years at Temasek, I have been privileged to work with a capable, dedicated team unified by a strong sense of purpose and commitment to excellence. I am always inspired by my colleagues' collective conviction that, like generations before us, we must always act today with tomorrow clearly in our minds,' he said. Mr Teo, a former political stalwart, served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2009 to 2019 and later as Senior Minister until he left politics in May 2025. Temasek said Mr Teo's 'wealth of experience and strategic insights will bring valuable perspectives to Temasek as it continues to evolve and grow as a global investment company.' 'In this era of deepening global uncertainty, we must remain clear-minded on critical matters such as international relations, security, and climate change,' Mr Teo said. 'I look forward to working with Temasek's board, management team and members of the wider Temasek family to build on the achievements of Temasek and chart a path for its continued success in the new global environment,' he added. Mr Lim noted that Mr Teo's depth of experience in public service and his seasoned wisdom on both local and global affairs make him the right helmsman for Temasek. 'I am truly pleased that Chee Hean will guide Temasek into its next chapter of growth as a global investor,' he added. /TISG Read also: Warren Buffett to step down as CEO by year-end, hands Berkshire Hathaway reins to Greg Abel
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
India, central Asian countries express interest in joint rare earths exploration
NEW DELHI – India and five central Asian countries have expressed interest in jointly exploring for rare earths and critical minerals, they said in a joint statement on June 6 after the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue. The announcement comes amid global alarm over China's decision to curb exports of rare earth alloys, mixtures and magnets, spooking industries ranging from automobiles and clean energy to defence. India and the central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – also called upon 'relevant authorities' for an early meeting of the India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum, which last met in September. 'The ministers also encouraged exchange of delegations to explore new areas of cooperation in critical minerals,' the statement said, adding the sides agreed to hold their next meeting in 2026. Rare earths are a group of 17 elements used in the creation of magnets that power motion for cars, cellphones, missiles and other electronics. China mines about 60 per cent of the world's rare earths and makes 90 per cent of rare earth magnets. Beijing, however, has announced export restrictions on these in April as part of its sweeping response to US President Donald Trump's tariffs. India is holding talks with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production, as it looks to reduce dependence on shipments from China. It also plans to launch incentives for recycling 24 critical minerals – a plan that is in the final stages of approval – as it looks to secure the minerals needed for green energy transition. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
US judge approves settlement allowing NCAA schools to pay athletes
The approval resolves long-running litigation between the NCAA and student athletes. PHOTO: REUTERS NEW YORK – A United States judge on June 6 granted final approval to a US$2.8 billion (S$3.6 billion) settlement with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that will allow schools for the first time to compensate student athletes for past and future commercial use of their names, images and likenesses. The settlement, approved in a ruling by US District Judge Claudia Wilken in the Oakland, California, federal court, resolves long-running litigation between the NCAA and student athletes. 'Despite some compromises, the settlement agreement nevertheless will result in extraordinary relief for members of the settlement classes,' Wilken wrote. She also said that the deal will 'permit levels and types of student-athlete compensation that have never been permitted in the history of college sports'. The ruling marked a 'historic day for college sports and the rights of athletes', the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, Steve Berman and Jeffrey Kessler, said in a statement. In a statement, NCAA president Charlie Baker welcomed the judge's ruling. 'Student-athletes will benefit from the rich opportunities they enjoy now, plus far more scholarship opportunities, landmark financial benefits and a streamlined NCAA to support them,' he said. The NCAA denied any wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. The deal faced dozens of objections that it did not adequately compensate athletes or was unfair in other ways. Objectors to the deal now can appeal to the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The settlement, covering hundreds of thousands of current and former students since 2016, resolved three lawsuits that claimed NCAA rules barring payments to athletes violated US antitrust law. The US$2.8 billion will cover past damages. The plaintiffs' lawyers previously estimated the deal would provide tens of billions of dollars to class members over the next 10 years. Schools will be allowed to pay athletes from funds that universities receive from broadcasts and other commercial sources. The NCAA in April convinced a federal judge in Manhattan to dismiss a lawsuit seeking compensation for thousands of former student athletes who played team sports in college prior to 2016. Those students have filed an appeal. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
