DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

India's satellite shakeout: domestic LEO rises, US players stalled

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:49:57 GMT

Mukesh Ambani's Jio Platforms plans a self-built LEO constellation to strengthen India's domestic communications infrastructure, paired with third-party satellite bandwidth leasing.

Thailand approves semiconductor strategy, targets investment and talent growth

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:48:44 GMT

Thailand's newly established National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy Committee has approved the framework for a national semiconductor strategy and a workforce development plan to strengthen the country's position in the global chip supply chain.

SK Hynix Cheongju plant accidents raise HBM expansion safety concerns

Lily Hess — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:41:02 GMT

SK Hynix's semiconductor production base in Cheongju, South Korea, has seen a string of accidents since 2026, prompting questions over whether its safety management system has gaps. The incidents have drawn scrutiny because many occurred after the M15X fab began operation, as the company ramped up production to meet surging high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand.

IBM and OpenAI partner to bring frontier AI to enterprise cyber defense

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:21:07 GMT

IBM has announced a partnership with OpenAI aimed at helping enterprises defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats by integrating frontier AI into security operations and workflows. The collaboration comes as organizations face a growing challenge from attackers that are also leveraging advanced AI tools to accelerate cyberattacks.

Meta invests in India's CRED, taps founder Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:09:04 GMT

Meta Platforms has agreed to invest US$900 million in Indian fintech startup CRED and appoint its founder, Kunal Shah, as the new global head of WhatsApp, marking a major leadership change at one of the world's largest messaging platforms.

SpaceX expands AI infrastructure business with US$6.3 billion Reflection AI deal

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:03:57 GMT

SpaceX has signed a major computing infrastructure agreement with open-source AI startup Reflection AI, underscoring the growing value of AI compute as one of the industry's most strategic resources.

Apple's global assembly partners hit by wave of ransomware, Tata Electronics latest victim

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 02:00:39 GMT

Tata Electronics, Apple's exclusive iPhone assembler in India, confirmed a major data breach on June 23, 2026, weeks after the WorldLeaks hacking group posted stolen internal records for sale on dark web forums, Reuters revealed.

Corsair's reported CXMT DDR5 move puts China DRAM on the global supply-chain map

Levi Li — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:59:01 GMT

China's DRAM supply chain is becoming a new variable in the global memory market. CXMT, China's largest DRAM manufacturer, is accelerating its DDR5 expansion. Recent reports stated that US memory brand Corsair Gaming has adopted CXMT-made chips in some of its DDR5 products, a development that has drawn industry attention.

Taiwan OSAT sector's strongest 1H in years puts 2026 full-year revenue records in sight

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:47:36 GMT

Taiwan's semiconductor packaging and testing (OSAT) industry delivered strong year-over-year revenue growth in May 2026, with 21 of 24 tracked companies posting positive year-over-year gains, according to monthly revenue filings compiled for the period. The results underscore continued downstream demand driven by AI-related chip shipments and a broader recovery in consumer electronics.

LTO Batteries power up industrial electrification: Taiwan and South Korea players widen global deployments

Willis Ke — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Lithium titanate oxide (LTO) batteries are emerging as a promising solution for industrial electrification and critical energy infrastructure, where safety, rapid charging and long service life outweigh the priorities of cost and driving range. As demand grows for high-reliability power systems, companies in Taiwan and South Korea are accelerating overseas expansion, positioning LTO technology for broader adoption in sectors ranging from robotics and mining to AI data centers and defense applications.

MediaTek issues official price hike notice, products facing supply constraints likely to increase first

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:25:24 GMT

Taiwanese IC design leader MediaTek has sent a price hike letter to customers, signaling that the current wave of chip price increases is sweeping across the semiconductor market and that the era of chip inflation has arrived.

LG Magna turns profitable in 1Q26 on EV motor push

Rodney Chan — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:00:00 GMT

LG Magna e-Powertrain returned to profit in the first quarter of 2026 as higher utilization at its Mexico plant lifted performance. Facing the rapid rise of China's electric vehicle (EV) supply chain and intensifying global competition, the company plans to keep increasing R&D spending, especially in high-speed motors, to build a differentiated base for medium- to long-term profitability.

Taipei startups showcase AI martech and fintech tools at NextRise 2026 to court South Korea partners

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:10:27 GMT

Taipei-backed startups showcased AI martech, fintech, and digital-transformation tools at NextRise 2026 in South Korea, seeking investors, partners, and accelerators across Asia. The pavilion signaled how Taiwan's startups are positioning for cross-border growth, while also reflecting broader regional competition in AI, enterprise software, and digital commerce.

Mildex Optical eyes new revenue from pet biosensor chip with mass production slated in 2H26

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:08:57 GMT

Mildex Optical has begun clinical testing of a pet degenerative arthritis biosensor in Taiwan, a development that could eventually broaden point-of-care diagnostics for animal care markets worldwide. The company said mass production is planned for the second half of 2026, alongside continued gains in demand for medical and industrial products.

GM robot rollout after 1,000 layoffs fuels UAW complaint and labor tensions

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:07:05 GMT

General Motors' move to install collaborative robots at its Factory Zero plant has sharpened concerns about automation, jobs, and worker safety, while also signaling a broader shift that could affect automakers and supply chains worldwide. The dispute highlights how electric vehicle demand, labor costs, and factory technology are reshaping industrial strategy across major markets.

Laster Tech secures Mexico orders through 2029 and moves into AI robot supply

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:05:11 GMT

Laster Tech said its new Mexico plant already has order visibility through 2029, underscoring how automakers are reshaping supply chains across North America and beyond. The LED automotive lamp module maker also outlined expansion plans in Thailand and robotics, while warning that China's price competition and currency swings are pressuring revenue and profit.

Midjourney launches full-body ultrasound scanner and plans wellness spas with aggressive scale targets

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:28 GMT

Midjourney is moving into medical devices with a full-body ultrasound scanner and a companion wellness business, a shift that could affect how health data is collected and used worldwide. The company says the system aims to offer fast, low-cost scans at scale, while raising questions about regulation, privacy, and future diagnostic access.

LG Group execs visit Nvidia to expand physical AI and robotics ties

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:40:47 GMT

LG Group dispatched senior executives to Nvidia's headquarters in Santa Clara, California, on June 22, 2026, to negotiate expanded cooperation in physical AI and robotics, following a leadership meeting between the two companies in Seoul on June 8, 2026. The delegation comprised more than 30 people from LG affiliates to explore commercialization opportunities, priority projects, and a partnership model that integrates the group's core capabilities.

Japan puts robotics at heart of US$2.3 trillion chip revival

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:39:46 GMT

Japan is preparing a sweeping public-private investment strategy totaling more than JPY370 trillion (US$2.3 trillion) by fiscal 2040, spanning 17 strategic sectors including AI, semiconductors, aerospace, and energy-related industries.

TECO, Billion Watts and Tun Green Power form JV to develop Australia solar and storage projects

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:38:55 GMT

TECO Electric & Machinery's Australia unit, Billion Watts, and Tun Green Power announced a strategic partnership to develop the Seaspray solar and battery energy storage project in Victoria, Australia, and formed a local joint venture to pursue follow-on investments, according to the partners. The partners said the move marks their formal entry into the Australian renewable energy market and the beginning of planning for a second set of projects.

Commentary: Google defines AI path to ASI, validates chip boom

Lily Hess — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:38:40 GMT

Google released a 30,000-word AI roadmap on June 14 that, for the first time, clearly defines AI having the capability of 100 million humans as a key milestone on the path to artificial superintelligence (ASI). The plan outlines a three-stage evolution from today's large models to artificial general intelligence (AGI) and then ASI, reinforcing expectations that AI capabilities will keep expanding at an exponential pace.

High-end fiberglass cloth supply tightens; shortages to persist through 2027

Lily Hess — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:36:45 GMT

Demand for high-end fiberglass cloth is surging on the AI boom, and orders from copper-clad laminate (CCL) customers are leaving the world's two largest suppliers, Nittobo and Taiwan Glass, short of capacity. In particular, low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and low Dk2 products remain the tightest, with supply-demand gaps now expected to last through 2027.

AI power systems drive snap-in capacitor demand; Chinsan gains from order spillover

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:36:21 GMT

Demand in the passive component market has rebounded alongside the rapid buildout of AI data centers. While Japanese suppliers continue to lead in technology, their capacity expansion has struggled to keep pace with AI-related demand, driving order spillover to Taiwan-based manufacturers.

Wafer Works unveils golden triangle expansion to boost AI, optical, and SiC wafer capacity

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:35:58 GMT

Wafer Works announced after its June 18, 2026, shareholders meeting that it launched a "golden triangle" expansion plan to deepen silicon wafer product lines and support fast-growing applications in advanced packaging, optical transmission and third-generation semiconductors. The rollout covers simultaneous construction and capacity ramp projects at Erlin, Zhengzhou, and Zhunan to align production with customer validation and mass-production targets.

Gogoro to unveil upgraded in-wheel motor scooter as Taiwan EV demand recovers

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:35:10 GMT

Gogoro is preparing to launch a new electric scooter on June 23, 2026, that industry supply-chain sources said will feature an in-wheel motor, dual batteries and upgraded performance aimed at the 100-125cc gasoline scooter segment. The announcement comes as Taiwan's electric scooter market moved from a weak start in 2026 to a gradual recovery, supported by local subsidies, affordable new models and high-profile cross-brand collaborations.

AI demolishes traditional tech: how NPUs and AI RAN are rewriting European infrastructure

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:15:06 GMT

AI is no longer a localized software novelty. It is now aggressively wiping out traditional hardware infrastructure across Europe. According to new market intelligence reports from CONTEXT World, there has been an unprecedented displacement of legacy systems. Driven by complex professional workflows, massive public sector procurement, and a fundamental restructuring of telecommunications networks, AI-optimized hardware has transitioned from a progressive choice to an absolute operational necessity.

Intel CEO doubles down on advanced packaging with former SK Hynix chief's return

Emily Kuo — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:27:26 GMT

Former SK Hynix CEO Lee Seok-Hee is set to return to Intel as executive vice president (EVP) of Intel's foundry business, strengthening Intel's push into advanced packaging technologies. The appointment also represents another strategic move by Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to reorganize the company's foundry business.

SK Hynix overtakes Samsung as HBM boom reshapes Korea's chip industry

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:23:25 GMT

SK Hynix briefly overtook Samsung Electronics on June 22 to claim the top spot by common-share market capitalization on South Korea's KOSPI exchange, a milestone that reflects how high-bandwidth memory (HBM) has redefined the value of Korea's semiconductor industry.

Soaring contract prices put memory's big three on course for blockbuster 2026 profits

Charlene Chen — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:21:57 GMT

The memory industry is entering a super cycle as prices keep soaring, with industry sources saying third-quarter 2026 contract price gains show no sign of slowing amid tight supply from upstream vendors. Overall increases could reach 30% to 40%, after second-quarter 2026 contract prices already climbed 40%. As market prices continue to stack higher in the second half, profits at the top three memory manufacturers are set to expand sharply, driving a surge in full-year memory business earnings.

China launches 2026 NEV rural promotion campaign to accelerate EV expansion into county-level markets

Emily Kuo — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:05:39 GMT

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry of Commerce, and three other government departments announced on June 18 the launch of a new round of the 2026 New Energy Vehicle (NEV) rural promotion campaign. Through measures including vehicle trade-in programs, charging and battery-swapping infrastructure development, and tax incentives, the initiative aims to further stimulate the replacement of gasoline vehicles and EV consumption in county-level administrative regions and rural towns.

MW-level flash charging competition escalates as BYD, Geely, CATL compete for industry influence

Emily Kuo — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:48:51 GMT

In China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market, industry leader BYD introduced megawatt-level (MW) flash charging technology more than a year ago and further enhanced its fast-charging capabilities with the launch of its second-generation Blade Battery in March 2026. Now, major competitors, including Geely and CATL, have also entered the space. Flash-charging technology remains in a stage of extensive validation and limited pilot deployment, but Chinese automakers and battery manufacturers are already engaged in an intense marketing battle, reflecting the intensifying competition in the NEV market.

TSMC glass substrate rollout unlikely before 2030

Sherri Wang — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:09:23 GMT

The race to commercialize glass core substrates in advanced semiconductor packaging is heating up — but the technology is moving faster in headlines than in production lines. DIGITIMES has been tracking the latest developments in TSMC's CoPoS advanced packaging technology, with glass core substrates emerging as the most closely watched variable in that story.

How physical AI and ADAS-cockpit fusion are rewiring China's smart driving supply chain

Kevin Wang — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:45:00 GMT

Physical AI and ADAS-cockpit integration have become the two main forces driving upgrades in China's autonomous driving and smart cockpit supply chains, according to the latest report from DIGITIMES Research. Under this trend, automakers and tech companies are accelerating the deployment of world models and LLMs, with a new wave of mass production and commercial pilot runs expected in the second half of 2026.

Anthropic joins US$915 million Frontier push to scale carbon removal

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:36:14 GMT

Anthropic joined Frontier, the carbon removal procurement coalition, becoming the first AI startup to participate as surging power demand from AI data centers made corporate climate pledges harder to meet. The announcement came with Frontier securing an additional US$915 million in funding commitments, raising the coalition’s total to US$1.8 billion, according to Reuters and Bloomberg.

Taiwan auto parts makers forecast 2H26 recovery as tariff and geopolitical risks ease

DIGITIMES — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:35:50 GMT

Major Taiwan auto parts makers said they expected market conditions to improve in the second half of 2026 as tariff and geopolitical uncertainties eased, executives announced during annual shareholder meetings. Companies reported clearer visibility than in the first half of the year and outlined plans to boost competitiveness in the US and China markets.