DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

China's chip-equipment push starts to weigh on Japanese suppliers

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:30:25 GMT

China's push to build a domestic semiconductor equipment industry is beginning to cut into revenue at major Japanese toolmakers, with five major Japanese suppliers posting a combined 12% drop in China sales for the fiscal year ended March 2026, Nikkei reported.

AI server VRM shifts drive power shortages and stretch lead times past 6 months

Lily Hess — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:25:51 GMT

The AI boom is accelerating upgrades in thermal management and power management, and it is also triggering a revolution in voltage regulator module (VRM) architecture, with workloads pushing the industry from doubler-based designs to direct native multi-phase control. Industry insiders say the growing shortage of power components has three main causes: inventory corrections over the past three years that have left stockpiles too low, AI-related applications are surging rapidly, and a shift away from Chinese supply chains is gaining momentum amid geopolitical shifts.

VFT targets semiconductors, foldable display, energy materials

Lily Hess — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:25:24 GMT

Optical film and nano-coating materials developer Victory For Technology (VFT) is focusing on three key areas — AI and semiconductor processes, foldable displays, and key new-energy materials — as it deepens R&D and product deployment to capture emerging opportunities in the global supply chain.

AI robot paths split as humanoid prices plunge, industrial orders hit record

Lily Hess — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:24:10 GMT

China's Unitree Robotics has slashed its humanoid robot prices sharply, in stark contrast to the industrial robot market, where prices have remained stable, and orders have continued climbing to record highs. The divergence has intensified debate over whether AI robots will first break through via humanoid or non-humanoid models.

Samsung pushes memory supply deals as demand spreads beyond HBM

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:23:32 GMT

Samsung Electronics is putting long-term memory supply agreements higher on its second-half agenda as demand from data centers broadens beyond high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, into server DRAM and storage products.

Europe's quantum patents hit record growth, but startup funding loses steam

Vyra Wu — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:12:21 GMT

At VivaTech 2026 in Paris last week, Philippe Keryer, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Thales, identified Europe's core quantum challenge in a single observation: "The problem is not really how we invent, it's really how we scale."

FSC sees higher-margin orders as low-carbon demand boosts equipment sales

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:11:10 GMT

Fu Chun Shin Machinery (FSC Group) reported stronger revenue and profitability in 2025, driven by growing demand for low-carbon and smart manufacturing solutions. At its June 22 shareholders meeting, the injection molding equipment maker reported consolidated revenue of NT$5.083 billion, up 12.22% year over year, while net income attributable to the parent rose 27.56% to NT$100 million, resulting in earnings per share of NT$0.61.

Syncomm accelerates AIoT push on wireless audio strength

Lily Hess — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:10:47 GMT

Syncomm Technology has built solid momentum in wireless audio transmission chips and modules and is now accelerating its shift into AIoT applications across energy monitoring, elder care, and disaster prevention and security, General Manager Liang-Chun Huang said at a Taiwan Stock Exchange Innovation Board company briefing.

China CMP tool leader Hwatsing seeks US$550M to close chip equipment gap

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:08:28 GMT

Hwatsing Technology, China's leading domestic supplier of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) equipment, is seeking up to CNY4 billion (approx. US$552 million) through a private placement to expand chip equipment capacity, strengthen wafer reclamation services, and accelerate high-end semiconductor tool R&D.

Spectrum Electrics opens Taoyuan plant to boost power equipment push and North America orders

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:07:46 GMT

Spectrum Electrics opened its Guanyin second plant in Taoyuan on June 23, marking a strategic shift toward power equipment and electromechanical operations as the firm pursues overseas expansion and improved logistics. The facility began with office and warehouse functions after the company invested NT$1.204 billion (approx. US$38 million) in the site in May 2025, executives said.

Samsung's Texas fab gains momentum with the arrival of ASML engineers

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:07:32 GMT

Samsung Electronics' foundry plant in Taylor, Texas, is showing signs of moving into equipment-level execution. Key engineers from ASML Korea, the Dutch lithography equipment giant's South Korean unit, have been dispatched to the Taylor facility and are expected to remain on site for roughly six to eight weeks, according to Korean industry publication DealSite.

Column: Spain's Multiverse Computing builds case for on-device AI to curb soaring cloud costs

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:06:59 GMT

As generative AI moves from pilot projects to large-scale deployment in 2026, enterprises are facing a growing problem: AI bill anxiety.

Hushan's ADAS camera module moves into volume ramp as aftermarket demand holds in North America

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:03:41 GMT

Hushan, a global automotive door-handle maker, said on June 23 that its ADAS automotive camera module has entered a volume ramp as long-term rigid demand in North America's aftermarket remained intact, the firm announced at its annual shareholders' meeting. The meeting also approved the 114 fiscal-year financial statements and a profit distribution plan, while executives warned of an uncertain macro environment for 2026, driven by US tariff policy and geopolitical disruptions.

Gem Terminal bets on specialty copper to capture AI server cooling demand

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

Gem Terminal Industrial Co. said its strategic transformation into specialty copper materials drove record quarterly profits in the first quarter of 2026 and positioned itself to pursue AI server cooling and high-end conductive applications. Executives presented results at the 2025 annual general meeting on June 23 and highlighted integrated production capabilities spanning casting, extrusion, rolling, and milling that underpinned the improved financial performance.

Well Shin wins China cloud orders for AI server power cords and shifts production to Vietnam

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:03:01 GMT

Well Shin Technology announced on June 23, 2026, that it had secured orders from cloud service providers in China for high-current AI server power cords and had entered normal shipment, executives said. The supplier disclosed the move after its shareholders' meeting and said it was accelerating its AI server power cord business as demand from cloud operators expanded.

SoftBank rejects space data centers and commits to Earth-based AI compute

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:02:10 GMT

SoftBank Group said it will prioritize building large-scale terrestrial AI data-center capacity rather than pursuing space-based data centers, with founder Masayoshi Son arguing that the decisive advantage in artificial intelligence will come from compute infrastructure deployed on Earth.

BenQ Materials unveils medical strategy, eyes 50% revenue share

Lily Hess — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:01:49 GMT

BenQ Materials is stepping up its medical push, with Chairman Z.C. Chen saying that its medical business is expected to account for 35% of revenue by the end of 2026, a record high. As sales continue to grow, he said its share could rise to 50% in 2-3 years, overtaking the company's polarizer business.

Foldable iPhone centers on South Korean OLEDs for supply in 2026

Lily Hess — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:01:35 GMT

Samsung Display (SDC) has reportedly won Apple's production approval for the OLED modules used in its first foldable iPhone and has officially begun production for initial shipments. Along with LG Display (LGD), the two South Korean makers will handle OLED orders across Apple devices in the second half of 2026.

EU eyes tariffs on Chinese PHEVs as BEV curbs prove ineffective

Kevin Wang — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 23:01:08 GMT

The EU has imposed higher tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEV) for more than a year, but the impacts have been limited. According to foreign media reports, the EU is now turning its attention to Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), and could impose additional import duties in the interest of ensuring industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy in Europe.

Super El Niño and AI power demand boost fuel cells

Charlene Chen — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:59:22 GMT

The rising chance of a 2026 super El Niño, combined with surging power demand from AI data centers, is intensifying pressure on power systems and the grid. Bloom Energy said in a new report that on-site power generation is the answer for meeting data center electricity needs, and suppliers such as Kaori and Acbel Polytech are also upbeat on fuel-cell demand.

JEDEC approves SPHBM4 standard to broaden HBM4 packaging and boost glass substrate prospects

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:58:48 GMT

JEDEC finalized a new HBM4 packaging specification called SPHBM4 that aims to broaden high bandwidth memory (HBM) use cases by reducing packaging complexity and cost, industry sources reported. According to ET News, the DRAM subcommittee completed its review, and the JEDEC board gave final approval, positioning the standard to influence AI semiconductor cost structures and substrate choices.

LG's space bet targets 2030 gains, with SpaceX talks adding lift

Levi Li — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:57:26 GMT

LG Group is expanding into the space industry, using affiliate-made components, rover concepts, and CubeSat systems to enter satellite supply chains and validate its technologies in orbit. At South Korea's NextRise 2026 startup expo, LG outlined a space business strategy that links its terrestrial technologies to future space applications and potential SpaceX cooperation.

WeMo builds a second life for e-scooters

Rodney Chan — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:57:10 GMT

As momentum builds toward net-zero emissions, replacing traditional gas-powered scooters remains one of the hardest challenges in transport transformation. WeMo CEO Davidd Liu said data analysis and consumer insights show that a high proportion of Taiwan's scooter-sharing users still own private scooters, with shared mobility used mainly as a supplement for intercity trips or one-way travel.

Column: Physical AI commercialization's safety gap

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:56:48 GMT

The race to commercialize physical AI and autonomous robots is running into a fundamental challenge: existing robot safety frameworks were designed for deterministic systems operating in controlled environments, not for autonomous machines making decisions in dynamic, unstructured ones.

Nvidia targets robot safety as humanoids edge toward factory floors

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:48:18 GMT

Getting humanoid robots into factories and warehouses has always depended on two things: making them smart enough to be useful and safe enough to work alongside people.

China's Starlink challenger Qianfan seeks US$740M backers for LEO satellite expansion

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:15:00 GMT

Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST, also known as Ambandha), operator of China's Qianfan low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet constellation, has launched a new funding round as the country's commercial space sector transitions from proof-of-concept to scaled deployment.

AI data center buildout fuels optical interconnect race, but 6-inch InP wafers hit supply wall

Levi Li — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Technology giants are continuing to expand AI computing infrastructure, driving demand for high-performance optical interconnect components. US optical communications leaders Coherent and Lumentum are actively developing 6-inch indium phosphide (InP) wafer production technology. Industry sources said 4-inch wafers remain the mainstream format, but fast-growing demand in optical communications is accelerating the shift toward 6-inch substrates. Supply constraints, however, persist, with substrate technology maturity and supply availability cited as the main bottlenecks.

Nippon Sanso raises helium prices over 30% on Middle East instability-driven supply crunch

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:30:00 GMT

Industrial gas manufacturer Nippon Sanso Holdings announced it will raise prices for all helium products in the Japanese market starting in July 2026, with an average price increase of more than 30%. Affected products include helium used in key applications such as semiconductor front-end process wafer cooling and medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment. The move is mainly driven by geopolitical instability in the Middle East.

Huawei renews Wi-Fi 6 patent push, putting networking equipment makers on alert

Levi Li — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:05:00 GMT

Huawei has continued to pursue patent litigation against networking equipment makers in Europe in recent years, with its latest case targeting a Taiwanese vendor. Sercomm recently disclosed that its German subsidiary, Sercomm Deutschland GmbH, had received a lawsuit from Huawei over certain Wi-Fi 6 products sold in Germany and other markets.

Fulltech sees low DK2 shipments rising, starts M9 quartz cloth certification

Charlene Chen — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:03:52 GMT

Fulltech, a glass fiber yarn and cloth maker, said at its 2026 annual general meeting that demand for next-generation AI servers and high-speed switches is lifting specifications and demand for upstream PCB materials. Chairman Yuan-Pin Chang said the share of low DK2 shipments will keep rising in the second half of 2026, helping optimize the product mix and boost revenue and profitability.

NYCU, Phison join forces to build AI heterogeneous computing resource management platform

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:59:15 GMT

Taiwan's National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) and Phison Electronics are teaming up to build a GPU resource management platform to improve the efficiency of computing resource utilization on campus.

WeMo bets on asset-light, open-platform model to scale Taiwan's MaaS ecosystem and drive growth for the next decade

Willis Ke — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:53:15 GMT

Approaching its 10th anniversary, Taiwan-based shared mobility company WeMo Scooter is doubling down on an open-platform strategy to cement its position in the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) market. Powering nearly 10 million rides annually, the company is expanding its cross-platform ecosystem and partnership network to capture new users while avoiding the capital-intensive path of vehicle manufacturing.

Kaori's Kaohsiung plant targets 2027 output for AI cooling and green energy demand

Levi Li — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:44:53 GMT

Kaori Heat Treatment held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new plant at Kaohsiung's Ciaotou Science Park on June 23. Chairman Dr. Allen Wu led the management team at the event, joined by government representatives and industry partners. Total investment in the Ciaotou Science Park plant is expected to be capped at NT$3.25 billion (approx. US$103 million), making it Kaori's largest production base, with a development scale exceeding the combined size of its existing sites.

Smartphone demand and chip supply pressures cloud 2H26 peak season outlook

Scarlett Yu — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:06:18 GMT

Market sentiment toward the smartphone industry remains subdued. On the demand side, global smartphone sales have declined for several consecutive weeks during the second quarter of 2026, with only Apple and Huawei showing relative resilience thanks to their strong brand appeal. On the supply side, chip shortages continue to intensify, expanding beyond memory products to include both advanced-node and mature-node semiconductors.

South Korea takes physical AI push from policy to practice

DIGITIMES — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:05:00 GMT

South Korea has moved its Physical AI Alliance from a policy-setting body into an operational platform, as the government and companies such as Naver deepen cooperation with Nvidia on physical AI, AI factories and large-scale computing infrastructure.