Global supply chains are accelerating their decoupling processes as geopolitical tensions persist, according to DIGITIMES vice president Eric Huang at the recent Tech Forum 2025. Taiwan's technology sector looks to capitalize on AI opportunities while planning for sustainable growth.
Taiwan-based IC design houses remain optimistic despite concerns about trade disputes potentially escalating following Donald Trump's win in the US presidential election. Two of the biggest concerns involve tariff increases and semiconductor export controls.
Leading integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) have expressed concerns about the automotive semiconductor market outlook for 2025. Despite these challenges, Taiwan-based IC design firms within the automotive supply chain remain committed to exploring growth opportunities.
Unisoc, having achieved annual revenues above CNY10 billion (approx. US$1.38 billion) for two successive years from 2022 to 2023, is preparing to expedite its initial public offering (IPO), according to Chinese media reports. In September 2024, the fabless chipmakers completed its most recent equity financing round, which secured a funding of CNY4 billion.
Power management IC (PMIC) specialist Silergy has seen growth in the third quarter of 2024 compared to last year, which chairman Wei Chen attributes to the end of inventory adjustments at its communications-related customers, and a steady inflow of orders across all of the company's new product segments, particularly in the automotive business.
Chinese microcontroller unit (MCU) firms have observed a resurgence in demand and expressed optimism about their full-year 2024 sales results. Several Chinese MCU firms have reported growth in their third quarter of 2024 sales, driven by government subsidies stimulating replacement demand in consumer markets. Leading Chinese MCU vendor GigaDevice has indicated strong potential for achieving record shipments in 2024.
India's semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth, with projections indicating the creation of 1 million jobs across various segments. According to a report by talent solutions provider NLB Services cited by the Press Trust of India, 300,000 positions will emerge in foundry operations and 200,000 in Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP). The remaining positions will span chip design, software development, system circuits, and manufacturing supply chain management.
Investment demand for chips used in generative AI is benefiting several Japanese semiconductor equipment manufacturers, with Tokyo Electron (TEL) raising its full-year profit outlook.
SoftBank Group will be the first to build a supercomputer with chips using Nvidia's new Blackwell design, a demonstration of the Japanese company's ambitions to catch up on AI.
In the ongoing patent dispute over wide bandgap GaN technology, the US-based EPC announced on November 8 that the International Trade Commission (ITC) confirmed its preliminary ruling, concluding that Innoscience infringed on EPC's core GaN technology patents.
Global Mixed-mode Technology (GMT), a supplier of power management IC (PMIC), has expanded into non-consumer electronics to avoid competition in mass-market applications.
AI, biomedicine, quantum computing, innovative semiconductor materials, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing are shaping up as pivotal areas for Taiwan's future research and development, with profound implications for defense and industry applications. This critical juncture was highlighted by Professor Chuu Chih-sung's groundbreaking creation of the world's smallest quantum computer at National Tsing Hua University's Department of Physics and Center for Quantum Technology.
CETC Chips Technology has disclosed that its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (DBS) SoCs have been adopted by China's top-5 handset vendors for multiple midrange to high-end smartphone models.
Weltrend Semiconductor, a specialist in USB power delivery (PD) controller chips, anticipates strong AI server demand to drive its shipment performance in the fourth quarter of 2024.
According to sources at IC design houses, China's subsidies aimed at boosting replacement demand have managed to generate short lead-time orders for household appliance applications.
TSMC has reportedly notified Chinese customers that shipments of AI-related chips made with 7nm or below processes will be halted. Additionally, any AI chip projects initiated after November 11 must be approved by the US Department of Commerce and other relevant agencies.
Himax Technologies exceeded third-quarter 2024 expectations, fueled by strong automotive IC revenue from Chinese orders. Despite a revenue decline and lower gross margin, the company remains optimistic about growth in the automotive, AI, WLO, and OLED sectors amid market uncertainties.
According to Nikkei, Rohm's performance for the first half of fiscal year 2024 (April to September 2024) has significantly underperformed expectations, resulting in a loss. A key factor behind this downturn is weak demand for automotive power semiconductors, driven by unfavorable conditions among its automotive clients.
Tessolve, an India-based semiconductor engineering firm owned by Hero, the world's largest two-wheeler brand, has acquired German-based IC design house Dream Chip Technologies. This acquisition marks a significant step in India's efforts to expand its in-house semiconductor capabilities in both design and production.
During a visit to India, a senior Singapore government official confirmed ongoing discussions with India's Tata Group regarding semiconductor development cooperation. This initiative aligns with India's broader strategy to forge international partnerships to strengthen its semiconductor ecosystem.
Semiconductor Week in Review (Nov 3 - 9): The semiconductor industry faces a transformative moment as TSMC readies its Arizona fab's politically-charged December opening and Intel's covert Taiwan visit reveals its deepening dependence on TSMC's advanced nodes.
The resilience of Taiwan's semiconductor industry remains unwavering, even as the US undergoes political transition. This perspective was shared by Etron Technology Chairman Nicky Lu and Pegatron Chairman T.H. Tung at the Global Views Leaders Forum on November 7, where they discussed industrial landscape changes following the recent US presidential election.
Forcelead Technology, an automotive display driver IC (DDI) subsidiary of Sitronix, recently highlighted its strategic focus on automotive DDIs and display driver ASICs for consumer electronics at an investor conference. The company's products primarily serve both original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket segments, with a particular emphasis on mobile devices in the repair market.
