In light of the fact that Chinese foundries can still obtain used equipment and consumables for process technology upgrades despite the US ban, the US could target advanced packaging for sanctions next, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
The extent and impact of China's prohibition on the use of iPhones in the public sector remain unclear. It will certainly negatively impact iPhone sales in China, but Taiwanese IC design firms may unexpectedly become beneficiaries.
South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution Ltd. is struggling to ramp up production at its plant in Poland, partly because of the attitude of local workers, its chief technology officer said.
The global foundry industry is expected to see its combined revenues return to growth in 2024, but chip demand is still estimated to be influenced by uncertainties in the consumer electronics industry, according to DIGITIMES Research's latest 20-plus page report, covering the foundry industry's latest deployment, next-generation node and technology roadmaps and capacity expansion and revenue data.
China-based new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers have scaled up in the past years, driving the semiconductor market growth. The automotive-grade MCU market has also expanded.
China-based battery maker Gotion High-tech took another step forward to expand in the US. The company will establish a battery plant in Manteno, Illinois, in response to the growing market. The facility is slated to start production next year.
Benefitting from strong demand in the Japanese market and providing testing services to major customer TSMC, semiconductor testing giant Materials Analysis Technology's (MA-tek) Kumamoto laboratory has officially opened. It has already obtained certifications from multiple semiconductor manufacturers and received orders. Its production capacity is expected to be in high demand, and it is anticipated to significantly contribute to revenue starting in the fourth quarter of 2023.
While Apple is about to launch its iPhone 15 series, the Chinese government reportedly has ordered civil servants to stop using overseas brand mobile phones. The directive, in addition to posing a direct challenge to Apple and its supply chain, may again impact Samsung Electronics, which is seeking a sales turnaround in the Chinese market through foldable phones, as well as LG Electronics.
Following the meeting between India's Prime MInister Narendra Modia and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Nvidia announced a partnership with Reliance Industries for buildning AI infrastructure and to train engineers at Tata Consultancy Services, as the AI chip giant is looking to capitalize on India's AI potential.
Samsung Electronics regards artificial intelligence (AI) as a key innovation for next-generation home appliances, and starting from 2024, the company plans to equip all its new home appliance products with neural processing units (NPUs) and invest in related chip development. The Korean tech giant will also adopt generative AI technology for Bixby, its voice assistant, to provide differentiated services.
Foxconn applied for India's incentive schemes for computer and semiconductor manufacutring. Nvidia is optimistic about India's AI demands and is looking to expand the market.
Huawei was put into the spotlight after it launched the Mate 60 Pro powered by a secretive SMIC-made SoC. However, it is too early to be optimistic about Huawei's breakthrough from US sanctions.
India hopes to encourage local manufacturing of computers with the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for IT hardware, and Foxconn's decision to apply for the scheme through three entities implied a diversified production for different segments in India.
Akira Amari, leader of the parliamentary association to promote semiconductor strategy, participated in the "2023 Taiwan-Japan technology conversation" forum hosted by the Taiwan Japan Academy on August 25. He discussed how Taiwan and Japan can collaborate in the tech sector. With "national economic security and global semiconductor strategy" as the topic, he analyzed the importance of complementary traits within Taiwan and Japan's tech sectors, the irreplaceable competitive advantage of TSMC, and cooperation within the global semiconductor supply chain.
