South Korea plans to more than double its display research budget to counter China's growing dominance, as industry data indicate China could control up to 75% of global panel production capacity by 2028
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reportedly pushing back plans to phase out DDR4 DRAM, extending production until 2026 after prices for the older chips surged past next-generation DDR5. Both companies declined to comment on the reports
China's drive to localize artificial intelligence chips briefly sparked speculation that Cambricon Technologies would gain ground and that Alibaba might join the race with its own processors. Those rumors, however, quickly lost momentum
Aoi Electronics, a Japanese outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) provider, has purchased Sharp's factory in Taki, Mie Prefecture, and will convert the site into a new production base for data center and advanced packaging applications
Hyundai Motor Group recently participated in the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM16), emphasizing the necessity of establishing a hydrogen energy ecosystem and reinforcing its position as a global leader in the hydrogen sector. However, with South Korea's hydrogen budget reduced for two consecutive years and infrastructure investment still insufficient, how businesses and the government overcome these challenges has become a focal point
For Apple CEO Tim Cook, returning to the White House in early August 2025 and announcing a US$600 billion investment plan over the next four years was a strategic move that pleased President Donald Trump. Trump responded by stating that any production or factory commitments made in the US would qualify for tariff exemptions, temporarily easing Apple's larger crisis
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has launched a public call for proposals to fund domestic chipmakers as part of a revised Information Processing Promotion Act. The initiative, which began on September 3, 2024, seeks to support Rapidus in its effort to bring cutting-edge semiconductors into mass production
Samsung Electronics' foundry business is showing early signs of a turnaround as it attempts to reclaim market share from its dominant rival, TSMC. Industry insiders indicate that Qualcomm may reconsider Samsung as a key chip supplier if the South Korean company successfully enters mass production on its advanced 2 nm process node
China's push to localize its memory supply chain is gathering momentum. YMTC has begun trial production at its first fully localized NAND flash fab, while market chatter indicates the company is now quietly investing in DRAM. The move underscores YMTC's ambition to extend beyond NAND dominance, using its patented Xtacking technology to break into DRAM and challenge the world's top three players
Fujifilm Electronic Materials is considering a significant investment in India as part of its strategy to expand in the fast-growing semiconductor sector, according to a report by the Times of India
In the second quarter of 2025, Southeast Asia's electric vehicle (EV) sales grew 102% year-over-year, driven by affordable battery electric vehicles, rising consumer awareness, government subsidies, and local production expansion. Chinese and Vietnamese brands like BYD and VinFast have become central forces, reshaping the regional EV ecosystem
At the 13th China Semiconductor Equipment, Core Components and Materials Expo (CSEAC 2025) in Wuxi, Chinese equipment maker SiCarrier returned with another high-profile showcase. The firm exhibited images and scale models of semiconductor process tools, continuing the publicity blitz it began at SEMICON China earlier this year. But industry skepticism persists over whether its touted technological advances are genuine
The US Department of Commerce announced on August 29, 2025, that it will revoke the "Validated End-User" (VEU) status previously granted to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix for their semiconductor factories in China. Starting January 2026, South Korean companies will need to apply for case-by-case approval to introduce American equipment into their Chinese production lines
Foreign chipmakers are partnering with Chinese firms as geopolitical tensions and supply chain risks reshape the global semiconductor industry. The push, known as a "China for China" strategy, aims to secure stable supply chains in China
Analysts say the US government's decision to revoke Verified End-User (VEU) authorizations for semiconductor equipment exports to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix's Chinese factories appears primarily aimed at gaining leverage in negotiations over rare earths with China. VEU permits allow pre-approved companies to import US technology without case-by-case license applications, and the withdrawal on August 31, 2025, has raised concerns about potential disruptions to semiconductor production in China
