$35 Million Investment Will Expand Axcelis' Manufacturing Capacity and Enable the Company to Better Serve Customers
BEVERLY, Mass., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACLS), a leading supplier of enabling ion implantation solutions for the semiconductor industry, today announced that it will officially break ground on its new ion implantation equipment manufacturing facility in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Korea. This $35 million investment reflects Axcelis' continued commitment to strengthening its high-volume manufacturing infrastructure and expanding its capacity to serve customers around the world.
The Pyeongtaek site will expand Axcelis' current manufacturing operations in Korea, the Axcelis Asia Operations Center. The new facility will encompass approximately 200,000 square feet of total gross floor area. The manufacturing center's design will provide a lean production environment that integrates learnings from the Company's nearly 50 years of semiconductor capital equipment experience. The Pyeongtaek facility will include warehousing, cleanrooms, and a training center to enable fast and flexible responses to customers' needs. Production at the new manufacturing facility is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2028.
President and CEO Russell Low commented, "We are proud to celebrate this pivotal moment for Axcelis and the next chapter of our growth in Korea. As the global economy enters the AI era, leadership in advanced semiconductors will be a cornerstone of technological progress and economic growth. This new facility will expand our ability to serve customers while building on the ingenuity of our people, whose work helps enable breakthrough technologies and a more sustainable, prosperous future for all."
Governor of Gyeonggi Province Choo Mi Ae stated, "I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on the groundbreaking of Axcelis Korea's Pyeongtaek facility. Axcelis' investment in advanced semiconductor process equipment represents a significant milestone in strengthening the position of Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City as global hubs for the semiconductor industry. In particular, we expect this project to contribute greatly not only to the creation of high-quality jobs and the revitalization of the local economy, but also to enhance the competitiveness of the world's leading semiconductor ecosystem. Gyeonggi Province will continue to foster a business-friendly environment and provide efficient administrative support to help Axcelis achieve sustainable growth and long-term success in Korea. Once again, congratulations on this groundbreaking ceremony. I wish Axcelis every success in its business expansion and continued prosperity in the years ahead."
About Axcelis
Axcelis (Nasdaq: ACLS), headquartered in Beverly, Mass., has been providing innovative, high-productivity solutions for the semiconductor industry for nearly 50 years. Axcelis is dedicated to developing enabling process applications through the design, manufacture and complete life cycle support of ion implantation systems, one of the most critical and enabling steps in the IC manufacturing process. Learn more about Axcelis at www.axcelis.com.
Safe Harbor Statement:
Statements made in this press release that are not of known historical fact are forward-looking statements and are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and should be viewed with caution. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including the risks and uncertainties that are described in the documents filed or furnished by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including specifically the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information or statements made in this press release.
CONTACTS:
Investor Relations Contact:
David Ryzhik
Senior Vice President and Interim CFO
Telephone: (978) 787-2352
Email: David.Ryzhik@axcelis.com
Press/Media Relations Contacts:
Maureen Hart
Senior Director, Corporate & Marketing Communications
Telephone: (978) 787-4266
Email: Maureen.Hart@axcelis.com
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Axcelis to Begin Construction of New Manufacturing Facility in Pyeongtaek, Korea
- Text, image, and video inputs generate audio and enable detailed modification through "Multitrack"
- Special release promotion offers 50% discount on the first month's subscription fee and bonus points
- Conversational AI "Sound Agent" uses natural language processing, allowing intuitive and accurate arrangements
- Desktop application and Unity plugin allow seamless integration with existing workflows
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Create and arrange a variety of sounds for a single scene with VARCO Sound, the multitrack AI sound generator.
Multimodal AI company NC AI announced the official release of its generative AI platform, VARCO Sound, on the 20th. Users can easily generate and edit scene-appropriate audio using text, images, and videos. VARCO Sound is designed to help developers and producers who are unfamiliar with sound design bring their creative ideas to life with high-quality soundtracks.
Users can also access the web version of VARCO Sound by signing up on the official website.
NC AI also announced a promotion for VARCO Sound and the AI 3D generator VARCO 3D, running until Nov. 30 following the release. The offer supports continued creation by making AI-based content generation tools more accessible and is available to both new members and existing members who have been using the free version.
Users who make their first purchase during the promotion can receive a 50% discount on the first month of their subscription. Additional bonus points will also be provided, with higher-tier subscriptions receiving even more points. This offer is available once per account for VARCO Sound and VARCO 3D each.
Events will also be held in the official VARCO Discord community. Users who join through the dedicated links provided in each service announcement can enjoy one month of free access to the VARCO 3D Plus plan or the VARCO Sound Lite plan. The first 100 users to join the community will receive the exclusive "VARCO OG" title. In addition, the top five users who share game assets created with VARCO 3D in the community will be selected to receive service credits and titles. Event periods and participation details are available in the Discord announcements for each service
VARCO Sound is a comprehensive platform that allows users to generate and fine-tune audio tracks for content such as games, videos, and animations. Users can describe the desired audio through text or upload an image or video, and the AI analyzes the input to generate scene-appropriate Foley sounds, sound effects, ambient audio, and more.
The tool's most unique feature is its ability to provide separate tracks for each audio source rather than a single audio file. Users can check each track individually, adjust its volume, or replace specific sound effects to further polish the result and better realize their creative vision.
In addition, the "Variation" feature allows users to build on their existing work. Users can upload an original sample to generate variations while preserving its texture and nuance. This substantially reduces the time required to refine ideas and develop prototypes.
The entire generation and editing process can be conducted through natural language using the conversational AI "Sound Agent." A simple description of the desired outcome is analyzed by the AI agent, which automatically applies the appropriate features, lowering the entry barrier for new users.
Furthermore, VARCO Sound comes with an automatic volume mixer feature that prevents sounds from clashing when multiple tracks are played simultaneously. The AI examines and adjusts the volume balance between different tracks so that no sound is too loud or too quiet.
Currently, the maximum length of an audio file that can be generated is 60 seconds, and NC AI plans to continue improving the tool's performance to support video inputs of up to 120 seconds.
NC AI has also released a desktop application and a Unity plugin that allows the tool to seamlessly integrate into the existing workflows of creators. Assets created through the desktop application can be dragged and dropped into other DAWs for immediate use. A personalized library search feature based on natural language and audio will be added in the future to further streamline each user's workflow.
Moreover, the Unity plugin was selected as a Unity Verified Solution, demonstrating its performance and compatibility. The plugin allows game developers to stay within the Unity engine while creating audio tracks using just text and images and immediately apply them to their projects using the built-in editing tools.
NC AI's CEO Yeonsoo Lee said, "VARCO Sound has evolved into an 'AI platform designed for professional needs' that boosts creators' efficiency without disrupting their existing workflows." Yeonsoo Lee added, "We will establish a new paradigm in the global audio creation ecosystem through continuous technological advancement and seamless integration with a wide range of external platforms."
About NC AI
NC AI leverages over a decade of game AI expertise to develop advanced multimodal and Physical
AI solutions for digital content and industrial sectors. Under its proprietary VARCO brand, the company delivers generative AI tools spanning text, audio, and 3D assets. Under the VAETKI brand, NC AI expanding into Physical AI including Digital Twins, World Models, and Robot Foundation Models (RFM). NC AI applies virtual simulation and reinforcement learning to mission-critical industries like defense and smart manufacturing, seamlessly connecting digital intelligence to physical execution.
NC AI Official Website and Social Media
| Websites Company Website: https://nc-ai.com/
Official LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nc-ai/
Official Blog: https://medium.com/nc-ai
Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/ncai_official/
Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nc_ai/
Official Discord: https://discord.gg/uTBqazNuKr
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Create and arrange a variety of sounds for a single scene with VARCO Sound, the multitrack AI sound generator.
Multimodal AI company NC AI announced the official release of its generative AI platform, VARCO Sound, on the 20th. Users can easily generate and edit scene-appropriate audio using text, images, and videos. VARCO Sound is designed to help developers and producers who are unfamiliar with sound design bring their creative ideas to life with high-quality soundtracks.
Users can also access the web version of VARCO Sound by signing up on the official website.
NC AI also announced a promotion for VARCO Sound and the AI 3D generator VARCO 3D, running until Nov. 30 following the release. The offer supports continued creation by making AI-based content generation tools more accessible and is available to both new members and existing members who have been using the free version.
Users who make their first purchase during the promotion can receive a 50% discount on the first month of their subscription. Additional bonus points will also be provided, with higher-tier subscriptions receiving even more points. This offer is available once per account for VARCO Sound and VARCO 3D each.
Events will also be held in the official VARCO Discord community. Users who join through the dedicated links provided in each service announcement can enjoy one month of free access to the VARCO 3D Plus plan or the VARCO Sound Lite plan. The first 100 users to join the community will receive the exclusive "VARCO OG" title. In addition, the top five users who share game assets created with VARCO 3D in the community will be selected to receive service credits and titles. Event periods and participation details are available in the Discord announcements for each service
VARCO Sound is a comprehensive platform that allows users to generate and fine-tune audio tracks for content such as games, videos, and animations. Users can describe the desired audio through text or upload an image or video, and the AI analyzes the input to generate scene-appropriate Foley sounds, sound effects, ambient audio, and more.
The tool's most unique feature is its ability to provide separate tracks for each audio source rather than a single audio file. Users can check each track individually, adjust its volume, or replace specific sound effects to further polish the result and better realize their creative vision.
In addition, the "Variation" feature allows users to build on their existing work. Users can upload an original sample to generate variations while preserving its texture and nuance. This substantially reduces the time required to refine ideas and develop prototypes.
The entire generation and editing process can be conducted through natural language using the conversational AI "Sound Agent." A simple description of the desired outcome is analyzed by the AI agent, which automatically applies the appropriate features, lowering the entry barrier for new users.
Furthermore, VARCO Sound comes with an automatic volume mixer feature that prevents sounds from clashing when multiple tracks are played simultaneously. The AI examines and adjusts the volume balance between different tracks so that no sound is too loud or too quiet.
Currently, the maximum length of an audio file that can be generated is 60 seconds, and NC AI plans to continue improving the tool's performance to support video inputs of up to 120 seconds.
NC AI has also released a desktop application and a Unity plugin that allows the tool to seamlessly integrate into the existing workflows of creators. Assets created through the desktop application can be dragged and dropped into other DAWs for immediate use. A personalized library search feature based on natural language and audio will be added in the future to further streamline each user's workflow.
Moreover, the Unity plugin was selected as a Unity Verified Solution, demonstrating its performance and compatibility. The plugin allows game developers to stay within the Unity engine while creating audio tracks using just text and images and immediately apply them to their projects using the built-in editing tools.
NC AI's CEO Yeonsoo Lee said, "VARCO Sound has evolved into an 'AI platform designed for professional needs' that boosts creators' efficiency without disrupting their existing workflows." Yeonsoo Lee added, "We will establish a new paradigm in the global audio creation ecosystem through continuous technological advancement and seamless integration with a wide range of external platforms."
About NC AI
NC AI leverages over a decade of game AI expertise to develop advanced multimodal and Physical
AI solutions for digital content and industrial sectors. Under its proprietary VARCO brand, the company delivers generative AI tools spanning text, audio, and 3D assets. Under the VAETKI brand, NC AI expanding into Physical AI including Digital Twins, World Models, and Robot Foundation Models (RFM). NC AI applies virtual simulation and reinforcement learning to mission-critical industries like defense and smart manufacturing, seamlessly connecting digital intelligence to physical execution.
NC AI Official Website and Social Media
| Websites Company Website: https://nc-ai.com/
Official LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nc-ai/
Official Blog: https://medium.com/nc-ai
Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/ncai_official/
Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nc_ai/
Official Discord: https://discord.gg/uTBqazNuKr
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
NC AI Officially Releases VARCO Sound, the Generative AI Sound Production Service
