Taiwan-based IC substrate makers Unimcron, Na Ya PCB and Kinsus Interconnect Technology are actively proceeding with capacity expansions for ABF substrates in 2020 to meet robust demand for processing 5G base stations chipsets and for heterogeneous integration of diverse high performance computing...

Driven by 5G and AI applications, the IC substrate sector is experiencing the fastest wave of tech advancement in 20 years, raising the entry threshold for newcomers and boosting market shares for makers in the leader group, according to industry sources.

Taiwan-based HDI PCB manufacturers are expected to enjoy a particularly strong first quarter of 2020, thanks to a ramp-up in orders for 5G infrastructure and smartphones, according to industry sources.

Diode supplier Eris Technology expects to post a profit increase in 2020 with revenues likely to reach a record high.

Most Taiwan-based suppliers of materials for flexible PCBs (FPCBs) are expected to enjoy a new wave of business opportunities associated with 5G handsets and even foldable handsets in 2020 after ending 2019 with lower revenue records than registered by the entire PCB supply chain, according to industry...

The Fair Trade Commission has newly ruled that IC distributor WPG can carry out its open tender offer to acquire 30% of ordinary shares of its peer WT Microelectronics (WT) purely as a "financial investment" operation, without having to apply for a merger permit.

Intel CPU shortages are expected to persist through 2020, with the entry-level segment bearing the brunt. Chromebook vendors are expected to adopt more AMD processors for their devices. In the semiconductor sector, TSMC expects the...

Next-generation automotive power modules from exhibitors including Japan's Rohm Semiconductor, Taiwan's government-funded Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Lite-On Semiconductor have stolen the spotlights at the Automotive World held alongside Nepcon Japan 2020 running January 15-17...

Taiwan-based automotive PCB specialist Chin-Poon Industrial is cautious about its performance in 2020 as chances are high that the global auto market may experience another year of sluggish sales, according to industry sources.

Taiwan's PCB industry ended 2019 with better-than-expected performance thanks to robust demand for 5G infrastructure and TWS (true wireless stereo) headsets applications offsetting weaker global demand for handsets and autos, but makers must rev up technology upgrades to pursue sustainable growth in...

Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE) is expected to resume growth momentum in 2020 from a rebound in shipments for server applications after ending 2019 with revenues falling 7.65% on year to NT$19.02 billion (US$635.27 million), according to industry sources.

Huawei has deepened its deployment in the semiconductor component sector by committing equity investment in China-based SAW (surface acoustic wave) filter maker Shoulder Electronics, according to industry sources.

Taiwan-based IC substrates suppliers are poised to benefit from Apple's move to adopt both TSMC's InFO_AiP (antenna in package) technology and ASE's FC_AiP process to package its mmWave antennas for 5G iPhones and 5G iPads set for launch in the second half of 2020, according to industry sources.

Taiwan-based Filtrafine, which provides filtration and purification solutions for industries demanding chemical wastewater and gas treatment, is eyeing a bigger presence in the chipmaking field where eco- or environmentally friendly manufacturing has become increasingly critical.

Worldwide semiconductor revenue totaled US$418.3 billion in 2019, down 11.9% from 2018, according to Gartner. Intel regained the No. 1 position in the market as the downturn in the memory market negatively impacted many of the top vendors, including Samsung Electronics, the No. 1 vendor by revenue...

PCB maker HannStar Board continues to put increased focus on the higher-end notebook segment while stepping up its deployments in the segments of servers and network devices, seeking to brace for 5G application opportunities beyond handsets, according to industry sources.

Merck demonstrated its materials and technologies at the recently concluded CES 2020, focusing on four major aspects - smart city, immersive displays, in-memory computing, and AI-optimized quantum computing.

Flexible PCB specialist Flexium Interconnect has set aside a capex of NT$6.7 billion (US$260 million) for 2020, more than double the figure of NT$3 billion for 2019, aiming to strengthen its capacity for 5G flexible antenna boards for a better presence in the lucrative market, according to industry...

PCB manufacturer Career Technology saw its revenues rise 9.7% on year to NT$17.03 billion (US$569 million) in 2019 thanks mainly to a ramp-up in orders for flexible boards from China-based smartphone vendors, reversing its lackluster revenue performance in 2018.

Nepcon Japan 2020 runs from January 15-17 in Tokyo with exhibitors showcasing their latest IC innovations covering packaging technologies, materials, equipment, sensors and PCBs for applications including automotive electronics, new-energy cars and laser components.

Although World Trade Organization (WTO) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) both expect the US, Japan and Europe to suffer from weakening economy in 2020, several Taiwanese industrial sectors are expected to remain unaffected thanks to strong demand from the 5G and AI markets, according to Taiwan's...

PCB maker Ichia Technologies witnessed its net earnings for 2019 hit a five-year high of NT$311 million (US$10.40 million) on total revenues of NT$6.204 billion thanks to a significant improvement in yield rates and stable shipments of flexible boards for automotive and optical fiber communication...

PCB maker Tripod Technology saw its 2019 revenues soar past its projected goal of NT$54 billion (US$1.81 billion) to reach NT$54.45 billion for an annual growth of 4.5%, and is expected to enjoy strong profit growth thanks to further improvement in product mix, according to industry sources.

PCB maker Unitech saw its 2019 revenues surge 14.73% on year to a record high of NT$22.42 billion (US$749.89 million) on strong shipments of rigid-flex boards for AirPods 2, and stronger shipment momentum is expected to send its revenues hitting a new peak in 2020, according to industry sources.

Taiwan-based PCB maker Apex International is set to kick off construction of its third plant in Thailand in late January 2020 seeking to ready new capacity to benefit from transfer of orders to plants operating in Southeast Asia from China, according to industry sources.