DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Goertek's 12-inch AR wafer fab could double waveguide output, cut AI glasses costs

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:55:02 GMT

Goertek has begun mass production at China's first 12-inch AR optical wafer fab, a milestone that could cut waveguide costs, strengthen the domestic AI smart glasses supply chain and speed up mass-market adoption.

CATL turns sodium-ion batteries into lithium hedge for EVs and grid storage

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:54:38 GMT

CATL is turning sodium-ion batteries from a lithium alternative into a commercial product line, with planned deployment in 10,000 to 20,000 electric vehicles this year and a new sodium energy storage system aimed at global grid markets.

Taiwan electronics sector stays upbeat as AI demand lifts exports

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:54:11 GMT

Taiwan's electronics-machinery sector is heading into the second half of 2026 with cautious optimism, as global demand for AI infrastructure, high-end semiconductors, and cloud services continues to support trade. The latest survey suggests the benefits are spreading through supply chains, with implications for manufacturers and consumers worldwide.

AIC sees double-digit growth as AI infrastructure shifts to rack-level systems

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:53:49 GMT

AIC said the global shift from single-server AI computing to rack- and system-level integration is driving coordinated storage, compute, and networking design as a key trend in AI infrastructure worldwide. The server rack maker said it will continue deepening technology and global customer ties, while expecting full-year 2026 revenue to keep growing by double digits.

FIT consolidates EV charging brands, builds Saudi plant to localize supply

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:53:32 GMT

Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT) unveiled its global automotive platform brand One Mobility at The smarter E Europe 2026, the continent’s largest energy industry trade alliance, marking FIT’s first appearance under the new brand and its third consecutive year at the event. The company said the rebrand consolidated its vehicle charging businesses under a single identity to boost market recognition and address rising competition in the electric vehicle charging infrastructure market.

LG expands data-center liquid cooling push, eyes Taiwan server partnerships amid AI infrastructure boom

Willis Ke — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:53:15 GMT

As AI infrastructure pushes server power consumption to unprecedented levels, liquid cooling is rapidly moving from an alternative technology to a data-center necessity. Amid fragmented industry standards, LG Electronics is expanding its liquid-cooling portfolio while leveraging broader group resources and exploring partnerships with Taiwanese server makers to strengthen its position in the fast-growing market.

Samsung slows next-gen memory push as price surge rewards existing lines

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:52:42 GMT

Samsung Electronics is slowing its investment schedule for 1d DRAM, the seventh-generation 10nm-class DRAM node, as a sharp surge in memory prices makes it more profitable to squeeze output from existing production lines than to rush costly next-generation processes to market, The Bell reported on June 23.

Taiwan joins post-HBM memory race with Intel, SoftBank

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:51:51 GMT

Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem has entered the race to develop a possible post-HBM memory architecture, with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (PSMC) and AP Memory appearing alongside Intel and SoftBank subsidiary SAIMEMORY in a nine-layer 3D high-bandwidth DRAM demonstration.

India roundup: Global tech giants deepen India investments

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:51:05 GMT

India is attracting fresh technology investment as global companies expand AI, cloud and semiconductor commitments, reinforcing the country's growing role as a strategic manufacturing and digital infrastructure hub.

Qualcomm stirs AI data center competition with CPUs, ASICs, and accelerators

Lily Hess — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:50:56 GMT

Qualcomm officially unveiled its Dragonfly data center platform at this week's annual investor day, laying out a four-pronged push into cloud AI that spans SerDes, PAM4 DSP, and other connectivity technologies gained through its Alphawave acquisition; ASICs; AI accelerators; and CPUs. The company also said its Modular acquisition added key assets for an AI software stack.

Taiwan Power ends three-year losing streak in 2025, but posts NT$9 billion loss in early 2026

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:50:25 GMT

Taiwan Power reported a NT$9.0 billion loss in the first four months of 2026, executives said at the company's shareholders meeting on June 26, attributing the shortfall to a spike in international energy prices following the outbreak of hostilities between the US and Iran. The utility said recent signs of a US-Iran de-escalation, along with the possibility of natural gas price cuts by CPC Corp, could help narrow the deficit, and it maintained a 2026 target to limit full-year losses to within NT$28.0 billion.

Niching targets higher margins as heat spreader orders extend through year-end

Lily Hess — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:50:05 GMT

Advanced packaging is driving demand for heat spreaders, and semiconductor packaging and testing materials supplier Niching Industrial said its acquisition of Ming Chun Yuan Micro Precise Technology is expected to boost its revenue and profit structure, while order visibility from major customers, including leading packaging and testing companies, has extended to the end of the year.

As SpaceX plans more launches, Eson seeks to scale satellite parts business

Lily Hess — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:49:46 GMT

The global low-Earth orbit satellite industry is moving from buildout to volume growth, with the pace of launches accelerating and supply-chain demand expanding. Eson Precision Industries, a long-term supplier of mechanical parts for the low-Earth orbit satellite chain, expects its operating structure to improve markedly from the second half of 2026 as orders for low-Earth orbit satellites and AI servers advance in tandem.

Apple clears Samsung Display and LG Display OLED modules for iPhone 18 Pro series

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:49:27 GMT

Apple approved OLED modules from Samsung Display and LG Display for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, signaling progress toward the company’s 2026 iPhone rollout, according to The Elec. The suppliers received final production approval for vertical OLED modules, and both are producing the modules on backend processing lines in Vietnam, industry sources said.

LinkCom leans into AI networking and high-power power modules to drive growth

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:49:04 GMT

LinkCom Manufacturing held its 2026 annual general meeting and said rapid AI adoption is driving demand for its magnetic components in high-speed networking, AI data-center power, silicon photonics power systems and LEO satellite ground receivers, and that the firm will pursue AI-related opportunities. The meeting outlined a medium- to long-term strategy focused on AI applications, high-power power modules and smart module solutions to convert technology into revenue growth.

Infineon counters Innoscience claim after China GaN patent setback

Levi Li — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:48:40 GMT

Infineon and Innoscience are locked in a global legal battle over alleged infringement involving gallium nitride (GaN) technology, with courts across multiple jurisdictions becoming battlegrounds for the dispute. In China, Innoscience appears to have gained more favourable ground, helped by its home-market position. After China's Supreme People's Court recently rejected a reconsideration request, Innoscience issued a press release claiming victory and saying Infineon products would be banned from sale in China.

AI drives TV platforms as Samsung and LG chase smart-home ecosystems

Charlene Chen — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:48:29 GMT

South Korea's top TV brands, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, are stepping up their use of AI to sharpen product differentiation as they face intense competition from Chinese TV makers. Besides higher hardware specs, better price competitiveness, display technology, and color accuracy, both companies are pushing interactive features and smarter connected applications to enhance personal experiences and build broader smart-home ecosystems. This shift is also changing what a TV is. It is moving beyond a traditional device for simply delivering audio and video content toward a platform that bundles entertainment, information, and AI interaction.

Commentary: Jack Ma's rice-field message and Alibaba's new AI confidence

Levi Li — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:48:03 GMT

Jack Ma recently made a rare public appearance with senior executives from Alibaba and Ant Group at a rice-planting event outside Hangzhou. Although Alibaba chairman Joseph Tsai was absent, CEO Eddie Wu, chief scientist Jingren Zhou and Ant Group chairman Eric Jing were photographed planting rice seedlings alongside the company's founder.

Jih Lin rides AI power demand to clip packaging

Charlene Chen — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:47:36 GMT

Jih Lin is seeing stronger business momentum as higher power consumption per AI server rack drives data-center power management toward 800V high-voltage direct current (HVDC) architectures, boosting the power semiconductor sector. The lead frame maker says its new-product transition is accelerating, with order visibility extending to 2027.

Taiwan water treatment firm rebrands to chase chip-grade purification demand

Willis Ke — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 23:47:18 GMT

Hongyi International, an OTC-listed environmental engineering company, has formally rebranded as Tianyi Water & Energy Solutions, marking a strategic shift toward a fully integrated ESG platform that combines water treatment, renewable energy, and environmental engineering. The company is positioning itself to serve both traditional manufacturing and the rapidly expanding high-tech sector, with a particular focus on semiconductor-grade water systems driven by advanced membrane technologies.

Apple's first foldable iPhone reportedly on track for September 2026 launch

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:53:13 GMT

Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone remains on schedule for a September 2026 debut, despite earlier reports that hinge-related issues could delay the device's release.

Rakuten, AST SpaceMobile JV aims to break Starlink's grip on Japan's satellite market

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:52:53 GMT

Japan's Rakuten Group plans to establish a new joint venture with US-based AST SpaceMobile in 2026 to build a dedicated low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications network for Japan, according to reports by Nikkei and Yomiuri.

LG Chem weighs CCL expansion as AI chip demand strains supply

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:52:37 GMT

LG Chem is discussing whether to expand production of copper-clad laminate, or CCL, a core material used in semiconductor packaging, as demand tied to artificial intelligence chips accelerates, Herald Business reported.

Kaori fuel cell orders extend to 1 year; expanding capacity in Taiwan and overseas

Emily Kuo — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:52:22 GMT

Fuel cells are emerging as one of the key solutions for future energy supply. Kaori Heat Treatment, one of the suppliers in the Bloom Energy supply chain, said that its fuel cell order visibility has extended from the previous six months to one year. To meet growing demand for fuel cells, liquid cooling systems, and plate heat exchangers, the company plans simultaneous capacity expansions in Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Thailand.

2nm advanced process waste surges 13x, Techzone targets semiconductor ESG waste treatment market

Emily Kuo — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:51:53 GMT

As advanced semiconductor processes rapidly transition from 28nm to 3nm and 2nm nodes, more frequent chemical cleaning procedures are driving an increase in demand for liquid chemical waste treatment. Techzone Chairman Chen Li-Li said that semiconductor companies are currently pursuing two major approaches in response to ESG requirements: first, establishing outsourced waste treatment channels; and second, building in-house zero-waste centers to process waste within their own facilities. Both approaches involve close cooperation with Techzone.

Trusval reports record 2025 profit, eyes global growth in 2026

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:51:36 GMT

Trusval Technology reported record 2025 revenue and profit, signaling stronger demand for semiconductor-related construction and industrial systems that matter to global supply chains. The Taiwan-based company said it is entering 2026 with cautious optimism, as it expands green fab solutions, overseas projects, and technology upgrades.

Sunrise builds integrated energy platform as AI data center demand rises

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:51:08 GMT

Sino-American Silicon (SAS) Products' Sunrise is expanding its integrated smart energy business as artificial intelligence (AI) and data center demand for high-performance computing drives higher electricity demand worldwide. The company said its combined offering could help global firms secure greener, more resilient power supplies while meeting net-zero, RE100, and supply-chain carbon goals.

Smartwatch sales return to growth as AI and health features lift demand

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:50:49 GMT

Smartwatch sales slowed in 2024, but global demand has returned to growth in 2025, and first-quarter 2026 sales are still rising year on year. For consumers worldwide, the shift suggests that AI, health monitoring, and premium upgrades are helping the category resist broader weakness in consumer electronics markets.

AI attacks scale up as annual security checks lag

Rodney Chan — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:50:37 GMT

AI is reshaping cyber offense and defense at an unprecedented pace, shrinking attack preparation that once took hackers weeks or months and making threats easier to scale. As a result, companies are facing a more complex and less predictable threat environment, while annual cybersecurity verification is increasingly unable to keep up.

Aleees shifts to in-house manufacturing after US order opens North American push

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:50:17 GMT

Taiwanese lithium-iron phosphate cathode maker Aleees is changing course after winning a major US order, moving away from licensing its technology and toward in-house production. The shift reflects tighter US supply-chain demands, rising demand from energy storage and artificial intelligence data centers, and growing competition among non-Chinese suppliers globally.

CALIN shifts into land, sea, air and space markets as Starlink samples move forward

DIGITIMES — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:49:46 GMT

CALIN is expanding its business beyond traditional optics, aiming to serve land, sea, air, and outer-space applications to support growth as older product lines mature. The Taiwan lens maker said the strategy could matter for global customers tracking drones, satellites, agriculture, and industrial monitoring technologies.

The Tata Electronics leak is overwhelmingly an Apple data set, file index shows

DIGITIMES — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:38:00 GMT

Tata Electronics, the Indian contract manufacturer that assembles iPhones and supplies other global technology companies, has confirmed a cybersecurity incident after the extortion group World Leaks published more than 630 gigabytes of data taken from the company's systems. The cache, posted on the group's dark-web leak site, contains 204,341 files and folders drawn from Tata Electronics' internal file servers.

JCET's US$1.1bn expansion shows where China's AI chip crunch is moving

DIGITIMES — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:30:46 GMT

China's AI chip race is pushing the semiconductor bottleneck into advanced packaging and testing, where HPC, HBM, Chiplets and domestic substitution are driving a new capacity cycle.

Apple's reported 1.4nm roadmap signals prolonged race for advanced-node capacity

Scarlett Yu — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:30:38 GMT

Apple is reportedly considering adopting 1.4nm process technology for its flagship smartphone SoCs as early as 2028, implying that flagship chips built on the 2nm generation could have a lifecycle of only about two years.

Hanmi targets advanced packaging market with FC Bonder 3.5

DIGITIMES — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:30:27 GMT

Hanmi Semiconductor has launched FC Bonder 3.5, a new flip-chip bonding tool for AI system semiconductor packaging, as the South Korean equipment maker looks to broaden its advanced packaging business beyond TC bonders for high-bandwidth memory and supply global foundry and OSAT customers, ETNews and Yonhap reported.