China's rare earth export restrictions, implemented in response to US semiconductor controls targeting its technology sector, are disrupting global supply chains and creating manufacturing headaches for automakers and tech companies worldwide.
Taiwan-based Intelligo, an ASIC design firm focused on AI acoustics and voice recognition, expects substantial growth in 2025 driven by three core segments—gaming consoles, mobile-related businesses, and a new North American notebook client—according to chairman JJ Yan. The company projects strong year-over-year increases in both revenue and profit compared to 2024.
Sony has pushed back its target to capture a 60% revenue market share in image sensors, originally set for 2025, citing sluggish growth and rising competition. The announcement was made on June 13 through a series of business strategy presentation videos released by Sony's key divisions, including its semiconductor arm, Imaging & Sensing Solutions (I&SS).
China is set to launch its 15th Five-Year Plan in 2026. Reviewing the progress of China's semiconductor equipment industry over the past five years and gaining insight into its trajectory for the next five has become a focal point amid the ongoing US-China technology standoff.
The CHIPS and Science Act has unlocked tens of billions in federal subsidies to reshore semiconductor manufacturing in the US. Yet, major projects by leading chipmakers are being slowed by local opposition and prolonged environmental reviews. From New York to Arizona and Indiana, a growing "Not In My Back Yard" (NIMBY) sentiment is jeopardizing timelines and threatening supply chain plans.
Rapid advances in generative AI are accelerating the commercialization of humanoid robots, with 2025 projected as the industry's first year of mass production. Taiwanese PCB makers—Zhen Ding Technology (ZDT), Flexium Interconnect, and Ichia Technologies—are reportedly positioning themselves within the emerging supply chain.
Canon's semiconductor business, best known for its photolithography equipment, is also bolstered by a range of specialized subsidiaries. One such unit, Canon Anelva, focuses primarily on thin-film deposition systems — a critical component in semiconductor manufacturing. Despite projections that the broader market will remain flat in 2025 compared to 2024, Canon Anelva expects to achieve more than 20% revenue growth, driven by two flagship product lines.
Global silicon carbide (SiC) wafer shipments hit a record high in 2024, with China driving the surge, according to statistics from Fuji Keizai. Chinese shipments grew 81.9% year-over-year, primarily driven by the proliferation of 6-inch wafers. However, the global growth rate is expected to slow significantly to just 20% in 2025, a sharp drop attributed to intensified price competition and supply chain strain originating in China.
Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from June 9 to June 15, 2025. Highlights include major chipmaking advances, a DDR4 supply crunch, and shifting strategies from Intel, Samsung Electronics, and TSMC. From renewed EDA access in China to rising momentum among Chinese CIS suppliers, this roundup tracks the key forces reshaping the global semiconductor and AI landscape.
Minor progresses are seen in India's semiconductor manufacturing landscape. China's tightened export control on rare earths begins to disrupt India's EV dream.
Broadcom is emerging as a key supplier in the artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain, with revenue from AI-related chips now comprising a majority of its semiconductor business.
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