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Aug 7
SK Hynix commits US$39 billion to new Yongin and Cheongju fabs as AI memory demand builds
SK Hynix has approved roughly KRW54 trillion (approx. US$39 billion) in new fab construction across two domestic sites, allocating KRW35.2 trillion to a second Yongin fab and KRW19.1 trillion to a new Cheongju NAND plant, in a move the company frames as securing supply capacity rather than chasing a cycle.

The US signed a presidential proclamation on August 6 (ET) imposing a 15% tariff on polysilicon and related products from all countries, with the new measures set to take effect on December 4, 2026. Taiwan's Executive Yuan said the decision was expected to have limited impact on the island's solar sector and highlighted exemptions available to semiconductor-related firms with US investments.

The Seoul High Court has upheld an 18-month prison sentence for a former SK Hynix employee who leaked trade secrets tied to CMOS image sensor (CIS) technology to Chinese companies while seeking new employment, including with Huawei chip unit HiSilicon.

Adata posted record-high revenue and profit in the second quarter of 2026 and said memory supply remains tight. The company expects third-quarter operating performance to outperform the second quarter and sees DRAM and NAND flash prices remaining on an upward trend through the fourth quarter and the first half of 2027. In particular, Adata said DRAM supply in 2027 will be even tighter than in 2026.
AI infrastructure, memory supply, advanced packaging and US-China tech restrictions led this week's industry agenda. Below are the most-read DIGITIMES stories from the week of August 3-10, 2026.
Winbond Electronics said rising prices and stronger shipments lifted its operating margin to 48.4% in the second quarter of 2026, and it expects the third-quarter margin to top 50%, setting a new high. The company also plans a major expansion in Kaohsiung as customers seek long-term supply through 2029 and 2030.

Samsung Electronics has launched its next-generation 200-megapixel CMOS image sensor, the ISOCELL HPC, and reports said Oppo is set to be the first smartphone brand to use it. The sensor is the industry's first mobile CIS to support 16-bit RAW output, marking a new specification for flagship phone cameras.

India is accelerating its bid to build a broader semiconductor and electronics ecosystem, combining new packaging capacity, longer-term tax incentives and deeper localization with efforts to expand its chip workforce and sovereign AI capabilities. Investments by ASIP, Dixon, Rashi and global technology partners highlight a strategy increasingly focused on higher-value manufacturing.

Tech talent has moved from being simply a hiring priority to a matter of national security. As major economies increasingly tie talent to competitiveness and national security, control over its cross-border movement is tightening. That shift is visible today: Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau is probing 17 companies accused of illegally recruiting tech talent in Taiwan, China is preparing to tighten exit controls on key technical workers, and the US continues expanding semiconductor and AI export controls and research security reviews.

Greenfiltec reported first-half 2026 consolidated revenue of NT$311 million, up 18.35% from a year earlier, but the Taiwan-based airborne molecular contamination (AMC) filter supplier swung to a net loss of NT$140 million. The company said higher shipments of high-end filters for semiconductor customers lifted sales, while surging activated carbon costs cut into profitability.
WT Microelectronics (WT Micro) posted record revenue and profit in the second quarter of 2026, supported by strong AI momentum and better-than-expected demand from the automotive and consumer markets. AI data centers and communications now account for 70% of revenue, up from 50%, with their contribution expected to rise further.
Rohm Semiconductor reported sharply higher first-quarter results on August 5, 2026, as recovering demand for automotive power semiconductors and strong AI-linked data center business drove growth. For the quarter ended June 2026, the Japanese chipmaker posted revenue of JPY135.7 billion, up 16.8% from a year earlier, while operating profit surged 4,825.6% to JPY9.6 billion.