The jury praised ASML for a variety of reasons, including its unique market position and the manner in which the company achieved this position. The company’s market position is based on a large number innovative initiatives and one such innovation is ASML’s use of deep UV light.

Reducing emissions

The considerable investments in innovation made by the company was also a factor for the jury's choice. In 2020, the company led the way in R&D investments in the Netherlands and the the high-tech company developed an ecosystem approach in its work processes. ASML develops powerful computer chips that are also more energy efficient. This contributes to reducing the emissions generated by data centres, battery technology, self-driving cars and fuel-efficiency techniques.

'Setting the standard for innovation'

Henk Volberda, jury chairman of the 2021 Dutch Innovation Award and professor of Strategy and Innovation at the UvA: 'The winner of the 2021 award shows how investing in innovation can result in a leading market position. You can see how innovation is a priority at all levels of ASML’s organisation, putting the company at the forefront of an extremely competitive technology market. ASML sets the standard when it comes innovation.'

The other finalists for the Award were Ecoplant and Qlayers. The winner was announced in the AVROTROS television programme De wereld van Morgen on 25 October.

The jury’s award criteria

The jury considered the following aspects in selecting the winner: investments in innovation, contribution to sustainability, leadership and organisation, cooperation with partner organisations, and market position. The members of the jury are:

• Hans Boumans – Technology Transfer Manager TNO
• Thomas Grosfeld – Innovation specialist and Top Sector policy VNO-NCW

• Mariëtte Hamer – President of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands
• Donovan van Heuven – Editor-in-Chief MT/Sprout
• Geert Huizinga – Director of FME advocacy group
• Carla Moonen – Chair Koninklijke NLingenieurs
• Greet Prins – Chairman of the Board, Chamber of Commerce
• Sjaak van der Tak – Chair, Netherlands Agricultural and Horticultural Association
• Albert Jan Thomassen – Director FBNet Familiebedrijven
• Focco Vijselaar – Director-General for Enterprise and Innovation,
  Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
• Pieter Waasdorp – Director Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy
• Henk Volberda – Professor of Strategy & Innovation, Amsterdam Business School, University of Amsterdam and Director Amsterdam Centre for Business Innovation (research leader and jury chair).