Mitsui Kinzoku will invest about JPY190 billion (approx. US$1.2 billion) to build a copper foil plant near its existing Malaysia site, targeting demand from optical communications components and advanced chips used in AI data centers. The facility will begin phased operations from April 2031.

Satellite communications company Microelectronics Technology Inc. (MTI) reported negative net worth of NT$244 million (US$7.42 million), a 109% debt ratio, and a 65% current ratio for the third quarter of 2026, as 5G open radio access network (Open RAN) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite businesses failed to develop as expected. With approval from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE), MTI suspended stock trading on November 9 and is pursuing a private placement to raise capital and improve its financial structure.

SoftBank Group (SBG) posted a JPY768 billion (approximately US$4.85 billion) net loss for the first half of fiscal 2026, from April to September 2026, its first loss in nearly two years after booking a US$3.7 billion impairment on a US data-center project and absorbing the impact of falling global AI valuations.

China’s HKC has again stalled its OLED expansion, with equipment orders for its Gen 6 OLED line in Mianyang, Sichuan, yet to be placed despite plans for deposition equipment to arrive in March 2027. Industry sources attribute the delay to weak OLED demand and technology challenges, warning that the investment could ultimately be canceled.

The fourth K.T. Li Award ceremony was held at the Far Eastern Shangri-La in Taipei on November 10, with former President Ing-wen Tsai delivering remarks and presenting the awards. Quanta Computer founder and chairman Barry Lam and Kinpo-Compal Group president Rock Hsu jointly received this year's honor for their long-standing contributions to industry, corporate innovation, Taiwan's technology growth, and international competitiveness.

Kia is considering investing about US$1.5 billion to expand its plant in Andhra Pradesh, India, while South Korean auto-parts makers have pledged follow-on investments. If approved, the project would establish an integrated vehicle manufacturing and parts-supply chain in the state.

The National Science and Technology Council's Department of Engineering and Technologies recently issued a call for proposals encouraging academia to modify expensive semiconductor equipment through design changes, creating new pathways for talent development and next-generation technology research. Such freedom and flexibility are difficult to achieve at commercial semiconductor companies, but universities have greater autonomy, face no immediate customer delivery pressure, and do not need to prioritize yield at once—allowing a hot-rodding approach to take root in teaching and research.

“Jensanity” has helped fuel the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, but reports linking Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to an alleged extramarital relationship involving a suspected Chinese spy are putting the company’s corporate governance under greater scrutiny. While the controversy could benefit Huawei Technologies and other Chinese competitors, tighter US chip export controls could ultimately inflict greater damage on China’s AI industry.

Singapore-based cloud provider and former Nvidia customer Megaspeed International saw its assets surge about 90-fold in 2024, but liabilities grew even faster, exceeding total assets by US$10.08 million, according to company filings reviewed by Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao.

Samsung Electronics acquired four US silicon photonics patents from UK-based Rockley Photonics in September 2026, South Korea's Shinailbo reported on November 11, citing US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) records. The reported acquisition could strengthen Samsung's intellectual property portfolio in optical interconnect technology as it expands its silicon photonics foundry business to compete with TSMC.

Samsung Electronics aims to complete its first 3D Cube-H design kit, a hybrid copper bonding technology for vertically stacked logic chips, in early 2027, with prospective customer evaluations to follow, ZDNet Korea reported on November 10, citing an industry source familiar with the plans.

Ingentec’s consolidated revenue reached NT$1.329 billion (US$40.4 million) from January to October 2026, up 79.32% from the same period in 2025. However, October revenue fell 8.59% month-over-month and 18.37% year-over-year to approximately NT$130 million as shipments of specialty gases to Japan, South Korea, and domestic customers declined slightly.

Smaller electronics manufacturers are relying on the spot market for memory as major customers lock in future supply through long-term agreements, according to independent electronic components distributor Smith.

Advantech's South Korean business grew 67% in the first three quarters of 2026, as industrial equipment, networking and cloud infrastructure, and healthcare remained its largest local markets. Some South Korean customers and partners have moved edge AI solutions into mass production, while the company is looking to extend its industrial computing and software integration expertise into robotics and energy applications.