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Nov 21, 11:44
Nvidia shift to LPDDR triggers supply scramble across AI and mobile sectors
Nvidia's strategic move toward low-power memory for its AI server lineup has set off a procurement scramble across the global tech supply chain. After the company released its fiscal 2026 third-quarter results, a report from Counterpoint Research indicated that Nvidia is adopting LPDDR chips more aggressively, replacing standard DDR modules in select AI server products. LPDDR has traditionally been used in mobile devices, making the shift especially significant.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced on November 20 that Taiwan's export orders reached US$69.37 billion in October 2025, down slightly by US$850 million or 1.2% from September but up significantly by US$13.92 billion, or 25.1%, compared to the same month of 2024. In New Taiwan dollars, this represents a 19.4% increase year-over-year. Cumulative export orders from January to October 2025 nearly hit US$600 billion, marking a 22.6% annual growth.
The White House is reportedly pressuring Congress to exclude the Guaranteeing AI National Access and Innovation (GAIN AI) Act from the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sources told Bloomberg and Axios. The move could benefit chipmakers Nvidia Corporation and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) by preventing export restrictions to China.
Samsung Electronics is reportedly planning to raise the monthly output of its next-generation 2nm foundry process to as many as 21,000 wafers by the end of 2026, according to new industry projections. The increase would represent a 163% jump from 2024 and could significantly narrow the company's long-standing performance and capacity gap with TSMC.
Electronics components distributor Audix saw its manufacturing division revenue drop 13% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2025. Its share of voice coil motor (VCM) products is also declining, affected by weak end-market demand and China's rare earth export controls. Audix stated that it has switched production lines to non-rare-earth magnets to reduce geopolitical impact and is simultaneously expanding AI server testing capacity, with revenue contributions expected to emerge gradually.
US semiconductor company Marvell Technology has announced plans to significantly increase its workforce and research spending in India, aiming to meet the surging global demand for AI infrastructure. Navin Bishnoi, Marvell's India head, told Reuters the company intends to grow its 1,700-strong Indian team by 15% annually over the next three years, though details of the expanded R&D budget were not disclosed.
WPG Holdings, a major semiconductor component distributor, hit a new record with its operating profit exceed NT$5 billion (US$160.1 million) for the first time in the third quarter of 2025. AI-driven demand for servers and supply chain services has made core components and memory the two primary growth engines. Computing-related core components accounted for about 40%, and memory 27%.
Sumitomo Chemical announced it will acquire all shares of Asia Union Electronic Chemical Corp, a Taiwanese manufacturer of semiconductor cleaning agents, with the deal expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The transaction amount has not been officially disclosed but is estimated at around JPY10 billion (approx. US$63.85 million), according to Nikkei Asia.
China's chip-design boom is accelerating despite US export controls, with demand for domestic semiconductors rising sharply. With advanced-node restrictions still in force, Chinese system makers and suppliers are replacing imported components with locally designed chips, propelling the IC design industry into one of its strongest growth phases in decades.
Samsung Electronics' 2026 executive reshuffle reinforces its dual-CEO structure, maintaining continuity in mobile and memory leadership while appointing top technology experts to accelerate AI, semiconductor, and advanced research, signaling a strategic focus on long-term innovation and competitiveness amid intensifying global industry pressures.
Taiwan-based integrated circuit (IC) test solution provider WinWay is planning to establish a production facility in Arizona by 2026, a move that reflects shifting global strategies amid the evolving US manufacturing agenda and growing semiconductor demand. The company's expansion into the US market positions it within an emerging local semiconductor cluster and aims to better serve North American customers.
Nvidia reported strong third-quarter results for fiscal 2026 (ending October 2025), driven by robust sales of its Blackwell Ultra chips. Cloud data center revenue rose over 60% year-on-year. The company plans to expand local chip packaging and testing capacity in the US over the next four years, drawing significant attention from the semiconductor industry.