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Tuesday 3 February 2026
South Korea eyes X-ray lithography in response to ASML's EUV grip

As global competition in semiconductor technology intensifies and protectionist trends tied to national strategy gain momentum, South Korea's industry is emphasizing the need to localize critical equipment. With chipmakers fully reliant on ASML of the Netherlands for extreme ultraviolet lithography tools, industry participants say South Korea must invest in X-ray lithography, a technology still at an early stage of development, to secure long-term competitiveness and reduce dependence on a single supplier

Tuesday 3 February 2026
Analysis: China's AI model race tightens into a three-way contest
China's large language model sector is reaching a decisive inflection point. As requirements for computing resources, capital, and specialized talent continue to climb, the industry is moving from dozens of competing models toward consolidation dominated by three major players
Tuesday 3 February 2026
Sumitomo Bakelite to acquire Kyocera unit, paving way for Chang Wah expansion
Japanese materials maker Sumitomo Bakelite has announced plans to acquire the materials business of Japanese electronic components company Kyocera. Industry observers say the companies' product lines are highly complementary, positioning the deal to deliver stronger synergies. Leveraging Kyocera's strengths in discrete and power products in China is expected to support Sumitomo Bakelite's global market expansion
Monday 2 February 2026
SMIC reportedly sets up advanced packaging research institute in Shanghai
As Intel, Samsung Electronics, and TSMC increase investment in advanced packaging, market sources say SMIC has set up an advanced packaging research organization in Shanghai, with SMIC chairman Liu Xunfeng attending the unveiling ceremony, marking a new stage in the company's advanced packaging research and development efforts
Monday 2 February 2026
China's auto industry hits record low 4.1% profit margin in 2025
China's automotive sector faces mounting profit pressure despite growing sales volume, with the average profit margin dropping to a near five-year low of 4.1% in 2025, according to the China Automobile Dealers Association. Dong-Shu Cui, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, revealed that total industry profits reached about CNY461 billion (US$66.3 billion) in 2025, up only 0.6% year-over-year
Monday 2 February 2026
Chinese process control powerhouse Jingce targets nearly triple profit growth in 2025
Wuhan Jingce Electronic Group forecasts net profit of CNY80 million to CNY90 million (approx. US$11.5 million to US$13 million) for 2025, representing year-over-year growth of 181.97% to 192.21%. Net profit excluding non-recurring items is expected to reach CNY21.66 million to CNY31.66 million, up 113.66% to 119.97%, reversing losses from the previous year
Monday 2 February 2026
Semco's Tianjin MLCC plant capacity runs flat out on EV, AI server expansion
Rising automotive electronics demand has pushed Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco)'s Tianjin plant to full capacity across its multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) production lines, with about 8,000 workers running operations 24 hours a day. The Tianjin site is Semco's largest global manufacturing base, focused primarily on automotive MLCCs while also supplying consumer electronics and server markets
Monday 2 February 2026
Kioxia targets data center NAND as rivals chase HBM
Kioxia Holdings sees an opportunity to expand its presence in high-density storage for AI data centers as rivals direct resources to other segments. The company's incoming president said demand tied to artificial intelligence continues to grow and Kioxia will keep capital spending disciplined
Monday 2 February 2026
China breaks into the global top 20 with a trio of chipmaking equipment suppliers
China's drive to localize its semiconductor supply chain is reshaping the global chipmaking equipment industry, with three domestic suppliers now ranking among the world's top 20 for the first time — a shift fueled by heavy investment and tighter US export controls
Monday 2 February 2026
Sanctioned YMTC fast-tracks Wuhan Phase III NAND fab for early 2H26 mass production
China's YMTC is fast-tracking construction of its Wuhan Phase III NAND flash fab, bringing its mass production target forward to the second half of 2026, roughly a year ahead of the original 2027 schedule
Monday 2 February 2026
India's 2026–27 Union Budget boosts semiconductors, data centers and rare earths to strengthen supply chains
India's finance ministry on February 1, 2026, unveiled the Union Budget for 2026–27, placing electronics and technology manufacturing at the heart of its growth strategy, with fresh funding for semiconductors, electronics components, and AI-linked infrastructure aimed at strengthening supply chains and boosting India's global manufacturing competitiveness
Monday 2 February 2026
India roundup: EU and India concludes FTA amid global trade disruption
After two decades, India and the EU close an FTA deal as US's tariff policy is disrupting the global supply chain
Monday 2 February 2026
LG shifts TV production to Vietnam, expands webOS reach

LG Electronics is formalizing a shift in its television manufacturing strategy, extending outsourcing beyond China to Vietnam as part of a structural overhaul. The move comes as the company seeks to address intensifying global competition and weakening profitability in the TV market

Monday 2 February 2026
Micron ramps global memory investments as Nvidia prepares HBM4 rollout

As Nvidia prepares to adopt its sixth-generation HBM4, Micron has taken a quieter approach to supply timelines compared with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Yet the company's recent surge in capacity investments signals growing confidence in its memory business. At the same time, its expansion in Singapore—focused on NAND Flash—is widely seen as a forward-looking technological move

Sunday 1 February 2026
China controls 80% of global AI glasses production
China has become the primary manufacturing and innovation hub for AI glasses, backed by an integrated supply chain. Omdia and IDC forecast global shipments exceeding 10 million units in 2026, with China holding roughly 12% market share, per Sina