DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Foreign automakers turn China plants into export hubs as Toyota takes slower path

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 04:46:12 GMT

Foreign automakers are rapidly reshaping their China operations into export platforms as local electric-vehicle (EV) makers continue to erode demand for gasoline cars. For global consumers and suppliers, the shift could affect vehicle prices, parts flows, and where future models are designed, built, and sold across major markets.

China's IC design boom nears CNY1 trillion, but Nvidia CUDA gap exposes limits

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 04:26:33 GMT

China's IC design industry is nearing CNY1 trillion (approx. US$150 billion) ahead of schedule, but AI is exposing deeper gaps in computing architecture, high-end talent, and ecosystem control.

South Korea's chip hub push, led by Samsung, SK, draws KRW896 trillion — and a market selloff

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 04:23:28 GMT

SK Group, Samsung Electronics, and Amkor will invest a combined KRW896 trillion (US$585.2 billion) to build South Korea's second major semiconductor production base in the country's southwest, the industry ministry said.

South Korea lines up US$204 billion Yeongnam manufacturing push

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 04:16:12 GMT

South Korean conglomerates will invest a combined KRW312 trillion (approx. US$203.6 billion) in the Yeongnam region, as the government moves to turn the country's southeast into a hub for advanced manufacturing, AI infrastructure, semiconductors, aerospace, defense, and energy.

South Korea weighs longer hours for chip R&D in new tech zones

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 04:13:08 GMT

South Korea is considering exempting research and development personnel from the country's 52-hour workweek limit inside proposed Mega Special Zones. These would include a planned second semiconductor cluster in the southwestern Honam region.

China advanced packaging maker SJ Semiconductor starts US$1.5bn 3DIC project for AI chips

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:49:58 GMT

SJ Semiconductor has started construction of a CNY10 billion (approx. US$1.47 billion) 3DIC manufacturing project in Shanghai's Lingang New Area, expanding advanced packaging capacity for high-performance computing, AI and data center chips.

Amazon Leo nears initial service as LEO broadband race shifts to enterprise connectivity

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:45:00 GMT

Amazon is preparing to launch its initial internet service for its low Earth orbit satellite network later this year, marking a key step in its attempt to turn Amazon Leo from a delayed space project into a commercial broadband platform.

LandMark Optoelectronics posts record revenue in June, expands for post-2028 growth

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:30:00 GMT

LandMark Optoelectronics (LMOC) posted record-high single-month revenue in June 2026 and is stepping up its expansion plans to prepare for demand beyond 2028, as silicon photonics (SiPh) revenue is expected to triple in 2026. The optical communications epitaxial wafer (epi-wafer) maker said revenue rose for the eleventh consecutive month, reflecting tighter capacity and stronger data center demand.

Greatek Electronics advances Taiwan+1 plan with acquisition of Onsemi Philippines packaging plant

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:23:59 GMT

Greatek Electronics, a subsidiary of memory packaging and testing provider Powertech Technology (PTI), has approved the acquisition of On Semiconductor SSMP Philippines, a packaging and testing services company under the On Semiconductor (Onsemi) group, using internal funds. The acquisition aims to strengthen the group's overseas operational footprint and improve its global customer service capabilities and supply chain resilience.

Huawei HarmonyOS misses China government OS shortlist despite top security rating

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:16:24 GMT

Huawei's HarmonyOS missed one of China's largest annual government desktop operating system (OS) procurement shortlists, showing that top security certification alone is not enough for public-sector software tenders.

China's chip equipment makers ramp up expansion as AI and memory boom fuel domestic demand

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:10:37 GMT

China's leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers are accelerating expansion through acquisitions and fundraising, as surging AI investment, memory chip capacity growth, and import substitution combine to create one of the industry's strongest growth cycles in years.

Samsung said to seek up to 20% DRAM price hike as AI demand tightens supply

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:08:34 GMT

Samsung Electronics is negotiating with customers to raise average selling prices for commodity DRAM by as much as 20% in the third quarter of 2026 from the prior quarter, according to ZDNet Korea, which cited industry sources.

Exclusive Interview: Dutch startup Nearfield bets on process control to rival EUV in AI chip manufacturing

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:06:45 GMT

As Moore's Law approaches its physical limits, simply shrinking semiconductor process nodes is no longer the sole path to improving chip performance.

India's chip mission enters harder phase: deciding where to compete

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 03:04:17 GMT

India's plan to sharply expand public funding for semiconductors marks a new phase in its chip ambitions. The harder question is whether New Delhi can now decide where it wants to win first.

SEMI warns Trump admin against meddling in memory market

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 02:54:30 GMT

SEMI has warned the Trump administration that intervening in memory-chip pricing or production capacity could worsen a historic supply shortage driven by the artificial intelligence boom.

Europe's defense boom has a semiconductor problem

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 02:50:10 GMT

Europe's defense industry is running into a structural bottleneck: the semiconductors needed for modern missiles, drones, radar, communications, and electronic warfare cannot be produced domestically at scale. Even as defense budgets rise across the EU, the industrial base needed to turn spending into capability remains constrained by dependence on foreign microelectronics.

Exclusive: AWS's ASIC shipment hike drives demand upside for Taiwan suppliers

Sherri Wang — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 02:40:46 GMT

Amazon Web Services has told its server supply chain partners to raise shipment volumes for the third quarter of 2026, according to sources in the AI server supply chain.

NXP chief says robots need autonomous computing to move beyond remote control

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 02:38:05 GMT

As physical AI and robotics spread globally, NXP CEO Rafael Sotomayor said robots will only reach commercial scale if they can think and act independently. For international industries, that shift could determine whether factory automation, humanoids, and smart machines become practical tools or remain costly demonstrations.

Phison says AI demand could erase NAND memory's boom-and-bust cycle

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 02:32:52 GMT

AI is reshaping the memory market in ways that could matter well beyond Taiwan and China, according to Phison Electronics founder and chief executive Pua Khein-Seng. He said growing demand for storage from global cloud operators, AI PCs, and servers may reduce the severe ups and downs that have long defined NAND flash prices.

Weekly news roundup: Anthropic tightens controls; Innoscience-Infineon clash shows the weaponization of China's courts

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 02:32:04 GMT

Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of June 29-July 5, 2026:

Exclusive Interview: Dutch startup Nearfield targets AI chip process control expansion after US$380 million funding round

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 02:24:32 GMT

Dutch semiconductor equipment startup Nearfield Instruments has completed a US$380 million Series D funding round, the largest-ever fundraising for a Dutch deep-tech company. The company is now targeting an initial public offering (IPO) in 2028.

Huawei chip chief proposes Tau Law V2 centered on time-based scaling

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 01:44:02 GMT

Huawei's semiconductor chief is promoting a post-Moore roadmap that shifts industry focus from shrinking transistors to reducing time across the computing stack, a framework backed by internal production claims for Kirin chips and Ascend accelerators. Despite that, he also drew caution because the work remains a preprint, not a peer-reviewed study.

Micron breaks ground on Hiroshima expansion to boost AI memory chip production

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 01:39:12 GMT

Micron Technology has begun construction on an expansion of its existing semiconductor plant in Higashi-Hiroshima, western Japan, as part of a JPY1.5 trillion (approx. US$9.3 billion) investment aimed at increasing production of advanced memory chips, particularly high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in artificial intelligence (AI) processors.

Alibaba reportedly bans Claude Code for employees, citing security concerns as China shifts toward domestic AI coding tools

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 01:18:11 GMT

Alibaba has instructed employees to stop using Anthropic's Claude Code for work and remove Claude models from company computers, according to respective sources cited by Yicai, The Information, and Reuters. The move comes after concerns emerged over features in Claude Code that developers said could identify whether users were located in China or affiliated with Chinese research labs.

Taiwan firms face tighter China investment scrutiny after new law

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 01:02:32 GMT

China began enforcing its Laws on Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion on July 1, prompting Taiwan officials to warn that the measure could extend Beijing's legal reach beyond its borders. The development is likely to affect companies, travelers, and cross-strait investment decisions, with implications for businesses and regulators across global supply chains.

Apple's foldable phone could lift foldable market momentum

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:59:56 GMT

Apple's first foldable phone is expected to sharpen competition with Samsung Electronics and Huawei, boost global shipments, and lift average selling prices. The device has yet to launch, but its entry is already shaping expectations for a busier second half, as other major brands prepare new models for global buyers.

Foldable phone market braces for second-half launch wave

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:56:59 GMT

The foldable phone market is set for a busy second half as Samsung, Huawei, Apple, and Chinese rivals line up new models. Wider launches, higher prices, and fresh designs could lift shipments in 2026, affecting consumer choices, app development, and supply chains across global markets.

Meta's AI cloud idea underscores a search for returns, not an AI retreat

Jingyue Hsiao — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:56:58 GMT

Meta is reportedly exploring a new AI cloud infrastructure business that would let enterprises use its AI models and some unused GPU capacity, a move that could lift hardware utilization and create a new revenue stream from its heavy artificial intelligence spending. The proposal has revived talk of an AI bubble, but key industry barometers Nvidia and TSMC still show no sign of a broad demand slowdown.

India launches third semiconductor plant as CG Semi begins commercial production in Gujarat

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:55:50 GMT

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated CG Semi's Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat, marking the start of commercial production at what the government described as the country's third semiconductor plant to become operational in 2026. The project forms part of New Delhi's broader effort to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem under its India Semiconductor Mission and "Make in India" initiative.

Front-loaded Asia-Pacific shipping demand keeps freight rates elevated into peak season

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:55:23 GMT

Sea and air freight capacity stayed tight as the second-half shipping season approached, with strong exports of AI and semiconductor products from Taiwan to the US continuing to pressure rates. At the same time, freight operators said heavy front-loading in the first half of 2026 could leave peak-season demand weaker later in the year.

Taiwan scooter sales rise in June as SYM holds lead and Gogoro surges

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:54:06 GMT

Taiwan's scooter market picked up pace in June, a trend that may matter for global suppliers, EV watchers, and consumer brands watching two-wheeler demand in Asia. Sales rose across gas and electric segments, while leading companies used new models, fleet orders, and seasonal promotions to strengthen their positions.

Aeon Motor expands electric vehicle push as regulations speed B2B demand

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:52:27 GMT

Aeon Motor is expanding its electric vehicle push in Taiwan as tougher carbon rules accelerate fleet conversions for logistics and transport operators. The strategy could influence commercial mobility markets beyond Taiwan, where manufacturers are racing to adapt products, supply chains, and production bases to faster electrification and shifting rider demand.

Transcom lifts 2Q26 revenue 29% on defense and satellite demand

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:50:48 GMT

Transcom Technology reported June 2026 revenue of NT$78.05 million (US$2.44 million), up 30.78% from the prior month, and second-quarter revenue of NT$228 million, up 28.63% from the first quarter, as domestic and overseas military shipments accelerated. The power amplifier maker said the gain reflected stronger defense-related deliveries in Taiwan and abroad.

USMCA shifts to annual review as trade deficit keeps pressure on Mexico talks

DIGITIMES — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:49:11 GMT

The US, Mexico and Canada have moved into annual review talks on the USMCA after Washington declined to approve a straight 16-year extension under the current text, according to PwC Taiwan. The shift matters for Taiwan-based manufacturers that use Mexico as a production base before shipping goods into the US market.

China TPU chipmaker Zhonghao Xinying launches Xuyu AI processor to challenge GPU-based computing

DIGITIMES — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Zhonghao Xinying (Hangzhou) Technology has launched its new self-developed high-performance TPU AI processor, Xuyu, alongside Taize 2.0, a software-hardware integrated AI computing platform built around the chip.

AI supercycle could drive semiconductor market beyond US$2 trillion by 2030

DIGITIMES — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 23:29:29 GMT

The global semiconductor market is entering a historically significant growth phase. According to WSTS's latest June forecast, global semiconductor revenue is projected to grow by nearly 90% in 2026, reaching approximately US$1.5 trillion. Growth is expected to remain exceptionally strong in 2027, with year-on-year expansion of around 27%, pushing total market revenue close to US$1.9 trillion.

Asahi Kasei to expand Taiwan photoresist film capacity for AI chip packaging

DIGITIMES — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 23:29:13 GMT

Asahi Kasei, one of the notable suppliers of Sunfort dry film photoresist in Japan, has initiated a fab expansion project in Taiwan. The newly established plant is expected to further elevate capacity performance in cutting and processing semiconductor packaging substrates.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Sumitomo Chemical to form glass-core venture for chip substrates

DIGITIMES — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 23:28:56 GMT

Samsung Electro-Mechanics signed a final agreement on July 2 with Sumitomo Chemical's Korean subsidiary Dongwoo Fine-Chem to form a joint venture that will produce glass cores, a key material used in next-generation semiconductor package substrates, the companies said.

India roundup: India accelerates semiconductor ambitions through policy and global partnerships

DIGITIMES — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 23:28:27 GMT

India accelerated its semiconductor ambitions through deeper Japan cooperation, policy advances, new manufacturing partnerships, and local technology investments, reinforcing efforts to strengthen resilient supply chains and expand domestic electronics production despite infrastructure challenges and rising component costs amid intensifying global competition.

Analysis: Taiwan's semiconductor sector enters 2026 helium crunch, with nearly 90% dependent on Qatar

DIGITIMES — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 23:27:51 GMT

Taiwan's chipmakers walked into the 2026 helium supply shock more exposed to Qatar than any other major buyer, sourcing nearly 88% of their rare-gas imports from the Gulf state in 2025, up from 46% four years earlier. With war disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, that concentration leaves fabs vulnerable and the outlook uncertain.

ESMT revenue hits record high as DDR2 and DDR3 prices keep climbing

Levi Li — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 23:27:25 GMT

Elite Semiconductor Microelectronics Technology (ESMT), a memory IC design house, posted record monthly consolidated revenue of NT$4.85 billion (approx. US$152 million) in June 2026, up 8.48% from May and 328.35% from a year earlier, supported by rising prices for niche memory products.

AI reshapes supply chains as Tong Ming upgrades smart manufacturing

Charlene Chen — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 23:26:46 GMT

The AI boom is reshaping global supply chains and accelerating manufacturing's shift toward smarter operations. Tong Ming, the world's largest single stainless-steel fastener maker, said it will invest about NT$140 million (US$4.4 million) in the second half of 2026 to automate a semi-finished goods warehouse at its Changsheng plant, while strengthening automation, digital management, and precision services to boost competitiveness and address challenges from the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and supply-chain restructuring.

From Bloomberg to DIGITIMES: building a media model for the AI era

Scarlett Yu — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 02:45:33 GMT

Manhattan is where financial giants gather. By the weekend, the crowds become so dense that near Times Square, even moving through the streets can be difficult. At moments like this, a walk through Central Park becomes the best choice. With its forests, streams, and seemingly natural ecology, and with plane trees, pines, and olive trees arranged in irregular patterns, Central Park truly is the best place for New Yorkers to rest in the heart of the city.