In 2008, the subprime mortgage crisis and the global financial crisis not only reshaped the financial industry but also had profound effects on the semiconductor sector. Since then, Taiwan and South Korea, particularly TSMC and Samsung, have pursued a proactive strategy, investing heavily to strengthen their lead over competitors. China gained more confidence since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In 2009, China even surpassed Japan to become the world's second-largest economy by GDP. Boosted by the demand for supercomputers and its military industry, China also accelerated the development of its semiconductor industry.
As the world grapples with mounting environmental challenges and income disparity, startups are seeking to address niche markets and deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that generate real value for end users. Takachar is focused on harnessing the power of pyrolysis to transform agricultural and forestry residues into valuable resources. With a mission to relieve the pressing waste disposal needs of rural communities, Takachar offers a valuable solution to both local farmers and the global ecosystem, thereby advancing climate justice on behalf of rural, underserved communities. By converting waste biomass into biofuels, charcoal, and other valuable organic products, Takachar not only reduces environmental pollution but also unlocks economic opportunities and promotes sustainable practices.
US former President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview, accused Taiwan of taking away American's semiconductor business. Despite this criticism, Taiwan ought to justify its standing by drawing upon historical precedents with dignity, virtue, and confidence.
TSMC, which is under pressure from major countries to set up factories overseas, has been criticized for receiving subsidies from the US and Germany by Intel and GlobalFoundries respectively. What is noteworthy is that TSMC's investments in Kumamoto, Japan and the related subsidies received from the Japanese government have been smooth and without controversy so far, and their cooperation is pleasant.
Nvidia has given its long-term partners, including Quanta Computer, Wistron, and Supermicro, priority to receive its AI GPUs which are in great demand, according to industry sources. TSMC, the manufacturer of Nvidia's chips, has already devoted as much capacity as possible to making its AI GPUs, which nevertheless will remain in short supply this year.
Several semiconductor companies in Taiwan are among the world's top-ranking companies in various ESG ratings, but they are not immune to a potential carbon lock-in effect due to the fact that the efficiency gains on carbon reduction of the state power generation system as a whole are not sufficient enough to curb the environmental footprint at the national scale.
AMD chair and CEO Lisa Su came to Taiwan this week for business meetings, as well as to receive an honorary doctorate degree from the National Yangming Chiaotung University in Hsinchu. NYCU is the first university in Taiwan to teach the engineering of semiconductors and is the alma mater of many important tech entrepreneurs and executives in Taiwan, including Acer's Stan Shih, UMC founder Robert Tsao, Asus founder Johnny Shih, Wistron chairman Simon Lin, TSMC CEO C. C. Wei, and Phison founder K. S. Pua, etc.
The emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022 and early 2023 has promoted a new wave of AI trends. The semiconductor sector has received some of the most attention amidst this trend. This is because not only can AI bring massive business opportunities but the entire semiconductor industry, especially chip design, can also achieve further breakthroughs with the assistance of AI.
The "new energy" industry and demand for industrial control power components are keeping the IDM fabs busy. Despite the sluggish recovery in mainstream consumer electronics this year, the demand for automotive and industrial control power components remains steady, and it seems like the industry will be welcoming a golden decade. Foundries are preoccupied with strategizing for third category semiconductor manufacturing while keeping their silicon-based IGBT production solid.
From the perspective of foundries, increasing Samsung's yields of GAA (gate-all-around) transistor production would be a lengthy and laborious process that appears to be considerably simpler than simply developing the first GAA-based transistor in the industry.
Germany published its first China strategy on July 13, following an eventful June as Europe geared up to face China's growing heft and as the US-China tech war further escalated. Despite having taken a critical first step towards aligning its foreign and security policies with its technology policy while striving to balance competition and cooperation with China, Germany, in its pursuit to strengthen foreign policy autonomy, will only notice the lack of it in the absence of a complete national security narrative.
One year after China lifted its pandemic control measures, the recovery momentum is already grinding to a stop. Economists have repeatedly warned that slower economic growth in China could hurt the world. However, experts are at the end of their wits on how to resuscitate consumer confidence in China.
China's auto market in the first half of 2023 set off a fierce price war dubbed the "suicidal price cuts," from battery EVs to fuel cell vehicles, which have turned the automotive LED lighting market into a killing field.
Foxconn called off the joint venture plan with India's Vedanta Group without disclosing the reason. Interestingly, market rumors are now saying that Foxconn is discussing with TSMC and Japan's TMH Group for possible foundry cooperations.
Huawei's operating pressure mainly comes from the weak consumer electronics market recovery as well as overseas sanctions, especially in Europe and the United States. Huawei's revenue has declined, especially the consumer end product business, by 12% in 2022, seriously affecting its cash inflow. Therefore, Huawei has strived to crack technical barriers, invested in independent R&D and patent layout, and is now using its 5G and 6G intellectual properties to overcome constraints.
