DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

High production keeps TV panel prices falling in August

Lily Hess — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:57:38 GMT

LCD TV panel prices fell across the board in July and have extended their decline in August as high utilization at makers' high-generation lines has kept the supply and demand situation from improving, even as brands stepped up procurement for the traditional third-quarter stocking season. Industry sources said the sector is pursuing a strategy of "trading volume for price," with Black Friday and Single's Day demand failing to stop the slide.

LinkCom sees order visibility into early 2027 as delayed client pull-ins weigh on sales

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:57:24 GMT

LinkCom Manufacturing said its July revenue fell from a year earlier because tight supplies of memory, passive components, and other key parts pushed up prices and prompted some networking customers to adjust procurement and delivery schedules for large projects. The magnetic components maker said order intake and deliveries remained steady, and July sales still ranked as the second-highest for the same month in company history.

Russia's Rassvet constellation edges closer to persistent Ukraine coverage

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:57:09 GMT

Bureau 1440's Rassvet constellation initiative has been gaining industry-wide attention for emerging as a comparative presence to Russia's Starlink, although it is currently nowhere near Starlink in constellation size or continuous global service.

DeepSeek takes Unitree stake to pair AI models with humanoid robots

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:56:27 GMT

DeepSeek has invested CNY140.8 million (approx. US$20.8 million) in Unitree's Shanghai IPO and agreed to jointly develop AI models for humanoid robots, linking one of China's highest-profile AI developers with the country's leading robotics contender at a critical stage of Unitree's public-market debut.

India roundup: Chip push broadens as localization and capacity remain works in progress

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:56:12 GMT

India is accelerating its bid to build a broader semiconductor and electronics ecosystem, combining new packaging capacity, longer-term tax incentives and deeper localization with efforts to expand its chip workforce and sovereign AI capabilities. Investments by ASIP, Dixon, Rashi and global technology partners highlight a strategy increasingly focused on higher-value manufacturing.

Kinko July revenue jumps to 12-year high on optical demand

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:55:55 GMT

Kinko Optical reported July consolidated revenue of NT$524 million, the highest level in nearly 12 years, as Taiwan's optical industry entered its peak season. The result rose 93.16% from the same month a year earlier and 21.17% from the previous month.

Winmate revenue rises as defense and edge AI orders gain momentum

Jingyue Hsiao — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:55:44 GMT

Industrial PC maker Winmate said second-quarter revenue rose sharply as demand from defense, marine, and edge AI applications strengthened, a shift that could matter for global industrial supply chains. The company is also seeing firmer order visibility for the second half of the year, while it works to protect margins from higher component costs.

Ability Enterprise July revenue hits decade high on stronger optical module shipments

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:55:25 GMT

Ability Enterprise posted July revenue of NT$1.159 billion, up 10.5% from June and 64% from a year earlier, reaching its highest monthly level since December 2016. The Taiwanese optics maker also reported cumulative revenue of NT$6.95 billion for the first seven months of the year, a 53% increase from the same period last year.

Aurotek profit jumps on embodied AI and semiconductor automation demand

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:55:09 GMT

Aurotek Corporation reported stronger second-quarter and first-half 2026 results on August 6 as demand rose for embodied AI solutions, semiconductor foundry and advanced packaging equipment, high-end AI server manufacturing equipment, and service robots used in logistics and inspection. The Taiwan-based supplier said the mix of higher-value products lifted profitability across its business lines.

Column: Greening the Gobi Desert—how China built Inner Mongolia's wind power ecosystem

Scarlett Yu — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:54:55 GMT

Driven by global net-zero commitments and China's "dual carbon" goals of peaking carbon emissions before achieving carbon neutrality, Inner Mongolia is rapidly transforming from a traditional resource-based economy into a strategic hub for renewable energy and AI computing infrastructure.

South Korea charges into the humanoid robot race as conglomerates mobilize

Scarlett Yu — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:54:40 GMT

The global humanoid robot race is heating up, with the US and China battling for technological and market leadership, but a third force is rapidly emerging.

China’s new renewable rules drive a surge in hydrogen investment

DIGITIMES — Sun, 9 Aug 2026 23:54:17 GMT

China’s tighter renewable-energy compliance rules have opened the way for green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol to be included in the country’s minimum renewable-energy consumption framework, amid a sharp rise in investment. In the first half of 2026, investment in China’s hydrogen sector increased by more than 160% year-on-year, outpacing the other cited energy infrastructure categories.

Commentary: From free flow to tight control — how tech talent became a national security asset

Charlene Chen — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:19:00 GMT

Tech talent has moved from being simply a hiring priority to a matter of national security. As major economies increasingly tie talent to competitiveness and national security, control over its cross-border movement is tightening. That shift is visible today: Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau is probing 17 companies accused of illegally recruiting tech talent in Taiwan, China is preparing to tighten exit controls on key technical workers, and the US continues expanding semiconductor and AI export controls and research security reviews.

Greenfiltec posts first-half loss as activated carbon costs squeeze margins

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:18:11 GMT

Greenfiltec reported first-half 2026 consolidated revenue of NT$311 million, up 18.35% from a year earlier, but the Taiwan-based airborne molecular contamination (AMC) filter supplier swung to a net loss of NT$140 million. The company said higher shipments of high-end filters for semiconductor customers lifted sales, while surging activated carbon costs cut into profitability.

Rethinking road safety: Why existing safety standards can no longer keep pace with autonomous vehicles' advances

Jingyue Hsiao — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:18:00 GMT

AI is moving from infotainment into steering, braking, and other core driving functions, raising safety questions that matter far beyond one market. Traditional testing rules are no longer enough, Irene Chuang, senior business manager for Industrial Services and Information Security at TÜV Rheinland Taiwan, said at a Taiwan industry forum, as regulators and automakers worldwide confront black-box AI risks in vehicles.

WT Micro sees AI data centers and communications reaching 70% of revenue, with growth extending into 2027

Levi Li — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:17:47 GMT

WT Microelectronics (WT Micro) posted record revenue and profit in the second quarter of 2026, supported by strong AI momentum and better-than-expected demand from the automotive and consumer markets. AI data centers and communications now account for 70% of revenue, up from 50%, with their contribution expected to rise further.

Rohm sees AI server demand lift first-quarter profit 4,825%

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:17:36 GMT

Rohm Semiconductor reported sharply higher first-quarter results on August 5, 2026, as recovering demand for automotive power semiconductors and strong AI-linked data center business drove growth. For the quarter ended June 2026, the Japanese chipmaker posted revenue of JPY135.7 billion, up 16.8% from a year earlier, while operating profit surged 4,825.6% to JPY9.6 billion.

Ajinomoto rides advanced packaging boom as ABF demand surges

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:17:26 GMT

Ajinomoto raised its full-year forecast on August 6 as growing demand for AI servers and high-performance computing lifted sales of electronic materials used in semiconductor package substrates, highlighting how advanced packaging is shifting more value upstream into specialized materials.

Macronix, Winbond post record July revenue as memory prices rise

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:17:10 GMT

Taiwan memory chipmakers Macronix International and Winbond Electronics both posted record monthly revenue in July, extending strong second-quarter momentum as tight supply and rising memory prices continue to lift profitability.

Hanwha Aerospace turns trillion-won profit into AI, unmanned warfare push

Willis Ke — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:16:56 GMT

South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace posted a second-quarter 2026 operating profit of more than KRW1 trillion (approx. US$704.9 million), highlighting its ability to expand military exports and aerospace operations simultaneously. With earnings momentum strengthening, the company is now positioning unmanned warfare and AI-enabled combat systems as its next major growth drivers.

Genius Electronic Optical revenue rose 39% in July as lens demand entered peak season

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:14:56 GMT

Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) reported July 2026 consolidated revenue of NT$2.422 billion on August 7, up 39.28% from NT$1.739 billion in June and 1.63% from NT$2.384 billion a year earlier. Cumulative consolidated revenue for the first seven months of 2026 reached NT$14.245 billion, an increase of 14.2% from NT$12.474 billion in the same period of 2025.

Innodisk posts record second quarter profit on AI and memory demand

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:14:38 GMT

Innodisk reported record second-quarter 2026 results as surging memory prices and artificial intelligence demand lifted profit, revenue, and margins. The memory module maker said quarterly net profit reached NT$10.368 billion, with earnings per share reaching NT$108.93.

VSO's Vietnam expansion and AI-server growth point to bigger upside, but memory shortages cloud the outlook

Jingyue Hsiao — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:14:27 GMT

VSO Electronics said its Vietnam plant is on track for trial production by the end of December 2026 as it expands its presence in AI server applications, liquid-cooling leak detection, and high-speed cables. The company is also preparing for tighter supply conditions in the second half of 2026, especially in memory.

EOI posts record first-half revenue and profit on auto LED demand

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 23:14:10 GMT

Excellence Optoelectronics Holdings said second-quarter 2026 profit climbed as improved operating efficiency offset softer revenue, while first-half revenue and profit reached record highs for the period. The automotive LED lighting maker reported net profit attributable to parent company shareholders of NT$142 million (US$4.39 million) in the second quarter, up 44.15% quarter-over-quarter, and said its Mexico plant is scheduled to begin mass-producing dozens of products in the fourth quarter.

Quanta posts second-highest monthly revenue as notebook shipments plunge 38%

Sherri Wang — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:06:54 GMT

Quanta Computer posted its second-highest monthly revenue on record in July, as strong AI server demand sustained growth even as notebook shipments fell nearly 38% from June.

Compeq says satellite and data center orders will drive second-half growth

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:06:42 GMT

Compeq Manufacturing said on August 6 that satellite and data center demand helped lift second-quarter performance, with revenue reaching a record for the period and management expecting further gains through the rest of 2026. The high-density interconnect (HDI) printed circuit board (PCB) maker cited stable shipments of high-end smartphone and low-Earth-orbit satellite products, along with rapidly rising data center sales.

TSMC, ASE, WPG: the white-knight battles that built Taiwan's chip empire

Charlene Chen — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:06:29 GMT

Powerchip chairman Frank Huang, who spent much of his career mirroring the trajectory of Taiwan's memory and foundry industries and was set to ride the AI boom into profitability in 2026, has passed away. His passing has revived memories of a 1999 attempt to block UMC's aggressive bid for Powerchip, when Huang sought help from TSMC founder Morris Chang and eventually saw Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) invest in Powerchip to counter UMC.

Interview: Lightmatter maps CPO future with Nvidia NVLink, Taiwan supply chain

Levi Li — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:06:18 GMT

The 2026 OCP APAC Summit will take place in Taipei on August 11-12. Ahead of the event, Lightmatter founder and CEO Nicholas Harris spoke exclusively with DIGITIMES about the company's advantages after joining the Nvidia NVLink ecosystem, its technology roadmap and the importance of close collaboration with Taiwan's supply chain.

Taiwan team builds high-performance MoS2 transistor to ease 2D semiconductor limits

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:06:09 GMT

Taiwan researchers announced on August 6 that they had developed a high-performance monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) top-gate transistor designed to address a long-standing interface problem in two-dimensional semiconductors. The work brought together teams from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Academia Sinica’s Research Center for Applied Sciences, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., according to Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council.

Analysis: Memory makers hold US$38 billion that isn't theirs to keep

DIGITIMES — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:05:46 GMT

Suppliers locked supply and price floors through 2030. The collateral protecting them runs out first — and that is when procurement leverage comes back.

Clevo bets on differentiated design for 2H26 notebook growth

Charlene Chen — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:05:24 GMT

Clevo president Simon Tsai said AI is extending from infrastructure to consumers, boosting not only the PC industry but also traffic at IT malls. At Clevo's Buynow retail chain, humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics have become hot attractions, helping reshape the product mix in IT retail.

IT panel demand cools as August prices hold steady

Lily Hess — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:05:11 GMT

IT panel demand weakened in the third quarter, with both monitors and notebook panels facing a demand correction after early restocking in the first half of the year. But with chip and other component costs remaining high and panel makers seeing limited room for profit, suppliers are showing little willingness to cut prices, while brand customers have not intensified pricing pressure, leaving August IT panel prices likely to stay flat.

Elan warns CPU and DRAM shortages will strain 2H26 PC demand

Charlene Chen — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:04:56 GMT

Taiwanese touch controller maker Elan held an earnings call on August 5 and said overall operations in the second quarter of 2026 were still solid, but the PC market in the third quarter and second half could be tougher than in the first half. The company said component shortages are disrupting customer shipments because of imbalances in parts supply, though it will stay in close contact with customers and remain ready to handle rush and urgent orders.

Interview: SailPoint says Taiwan hardware leads but identity governance lags

Charlene Chen — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:04:42 GMT

Taiwan's hardware manufacturing sector leads globally, but the country's level of investment in cybersecurity software and identity governance still ranks in the back half of the Asia-Pacific region, SailPoint Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau managing director Simon Tai told DIGITIMES in an interview. As the tech industry speeds up digital transformation, remote collaboration, outsourced workflows, and AI agents are increasingly common in enterprise operations, shifting the focus of corporate cybersecurity defenses.

Commentary: China IC design rules reshape patent battles

Charlene Chen — Sat, 8 Aug 2026 00:04:26 GMT

China's State Council has released a revised version of the regulations on the protection of IC layout designs, set to take effect on October 15, 2026. It is the first full overhaul since the rules were issued in 2001, adding protection for photonic and quantum IC designs, increasing punitive damages for intentional infringement, and improving systems for layout design registration, licensing, and rights enforcement.