Finesse Technology, a subsidiary of Highlight Technology Corp, specializes in semiconductor ozone supply systems, remote plasma sources (RPS), RF power systems, and technical maintenance services. These solutions are integral to critical semiconductor manufacturing processes, including chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD).
LG Group (LG) has set a target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, making it the only South Korean conglomerate to publicly announce specific carbon neutrality goals and timelines. The company plans to invest KRW1.8 trillion (approx. US$1.3 billion) over the next five years.
Taiwan Cement hosted the Low-Carbon Construction Pioneer Alliance conference on November 18, with Chairman An-ping Chang highlighting the company's global leadership in low-carbon cement production. Chang emphasized that despite technological capability, regulatory barriers prevent Taiwan's limestone cement concrete (IL15) from reaching the lowest carbon standards.
Trump's "America First" agenda will remain central in his imminent second term, with reindustrialization, trade protectionism, corporate tax cuts, and stricter immigration policies at the core. However, Trump 2.0 is expected to take a more radical approach than his first term.
LED manufacturer Ledtech turned a profit in the first three quarters of 2024, following a reorganization of its business and marketing operations earlier in the year. The company is now focusing on high-margin products such as low-temperature lighting, with this segment's revenue share climbing from 14% in the third quarter of 2023 to 29% in the third quarter of 2024. Targeting markets in the Americas and Europe, Ledtech is expanding its own brand and officially entering the ESG sustainable lighting field.
TSMC inaugurated its zero-waste manufacturing center in Taichung on November 13, while signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to develop advanced carbon capture technology.
TSMC is actively working on a green recycling system as part of its electronic-grade chemical recycling program. The company continues to collaborate with suppliers to explore the utilization of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) waste liquid. This follows the development of its first electronic-grade product, cyclopentanone, which was introduced in 2023.
As AI PCs shape the future of the computer industry, companies are increasingly focusing on sustainable design to align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Major tech brands like Acer and Lenovo are leading the way with eco-friendly laptops, and rugged computer specialist Getac is also introducing recyclable materials into its products.
Innolux has gained attention for entering fan-out panel-level packaging (FOPLP). The Ministry of Environment recently commended the company for its resource recycling efforts, highlighting its extraction of pure copper from waste solutions and recovery of phosphorus from wastewater. These sustainable initiatives boost resource efficiency, advance green manufacturing, and align with the company’s ESG-driven goals.
The industry's trio of cloud service providers (CSPs) are actively embracing nuclear energy with unprecedented enthusiasm, signaling a major shift in the global energy landscape. As the AI race intensifies, massive investments from companies are flooding into infrastructure projects worldwide, driving a surge in demand for carbon-free energy (CFE). The global response to this transformation will significantly shape the future energy landscape.
Taiwan is aligning with a growing global trend, as nations and tech giants increasingly turn to nuclear power to meet the surging electrical demand driven by AI. Premier Cho Jung-Tai recently suggested that Taiwan maintains a "very open" attitude toward adopting new nuclear technologies, marking a potential shift in the government's stance on nuclear energy.
Taiwanese textile manufacturers are rapidly transforming and diversifying their operations, with key players such as Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC) and Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corporation (SSFC) increasingly venturing into automotive components and electric vehicle (EV) sectors.
Taiwan's Ministry of Environment has set its carbon fee at NT$300(US$10) per ton of CO2, a rate that has sparked pushback from both environmental advocates and industry leaders.
Taiwan is set to implement its carbon fee at NT$300 per metric ton of CO₂ equivalent starting January 1, 2025, with regulated companies to pay for 2025 emissions by May 2026.
Taiwan's Ministry of Environment has set the carbon fee at NT$300 (approx. US$9.24) per ton, effective 2025, and signaled that a Taiwan version of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could be next. The local industry is advocating for this measure, arguing that imported goods such as cement and steel should also incur carbon fees to ensure competitive fairness. In response, the ministry confirmed ongoing interagency talks about a CBAM, with plans for cement and steel imports to begin trial carbon footprint reporting in 2025.
Microsoft has made significant strides in its investment in Taiwan, including the ongoing construction of a local data center and a successful digital talent development program. The company has also prioritized sustainability and diversity initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to creating a positive impact in Taiwan.
The drop of Taiwan's solar field development volume in 2024 has sent ripples into AUO's expected installation volume of 2025 and 2026. However such outlook did not stop the firm's energy division to follow in the footstep of its display business , eyeing the US and European markets as its first stop in its international expansion efforts.
The rise in artificial intelligence (AI) demand has led to a corresponding increase in data center requirements. However, finding locations with sufficient power to support these energy-intensive facilities has proven challenging.
Taiwan's energy startup NextDrive has deployed more than 37,000 energy solution sites across Taiwan and Japan, leveraging advanced distributed energy management technology to expand virtual power plants and related applications. The company's successful expansion into the Japanese market earned it a spot on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Asian startup support list, positioning it for a potential entry into Japan's capital markets.
Quanta Computer's (Quanta) US subsidiary, QMN, has announced the purchase of three fuel cell microgrid systems for US$79.75 million. The company stated that these additional systems are intended for upgrading equipment used in testing and verifying high-end servers, highlighting the significant power demands and ESG considerations associated with AI servers.
The semiconductor industry is highly resource-intensive, requiring large amounts of water, electricity, and raw materials, including various chemicals, during production. Consequently, the industry generates significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as carbon dioxide and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs).
Taiwan is set to introduce a carbon fee in 2025, targeting approximately 500 companies with rates between NT$300 (approx. US$9.30) and NT$500 per metric ton. However, the final fee structure and its alignment with international policies like the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) remain unresolved, sparking debate among industry leaders and government officials.
In an era where cities are scrambling to meet sustainability goals and reduce their carbon footprint, a Belgian startup is leveraging artificial intelligence to revolutionize urban forest management. Grality, a tech company, has developed a sophisticated application that's helping municipalities and private entities alike to quantify, manage, and optimize their arboreal assets.
