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Aug 13, 12:15
Intel signals memory push after hiring former SK Hynix CEO

Intel is signaling a broader push into next-generation memory technologies, with CEO Lip-Bu Tan revealing that the company is exploring new memory architectures after hiring former SK Hynix CEO Lee Seok-Hee.

The technical feasibility of co-packaged optics (CPO) has been demonstrated repeatedly at major industry conferences in recent years. At the 2026 OCP APAC Summit, however, Ayar Labs CEO Mark Wade shifted the focus from whether CPO works to whether it can scale commercially.

LandMark Optoelectronics Corp. reported a sharp jump in revenue, margins, and profit in the second quarter of 2026, driven by strong demand for silicon photonics products and higher shipment volumes. The optical communications epitaxial wafer maker also said third-quarter 2026 revenue is expected to rise more than 20% quarter-on-quarter as both the company and its downstream foundry partners expand capacity.
SK hynix said it is advancing its use of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography for the mass production of next-generation DRAM, with high-numerical-aperture (High-NA) EUV equipment introduced in the second half of 2025 and related research and development beginning in 2026. The memory maker is also adopting phase-shift mask (PSM) technology and other process materials to improve EUV performance as demand rises for higher-capacity, higher-performance chips.

Zhen Ding Tech (ZDT), a major PCB supplier, said at its second-quarter 2026 earnings conference on August 11 that rising investment in AI computing infrastructure is ushering in a new expansion cycle for high-end PCB demand. Chairman Charles Shen said the company expects strong revenue growth in 2026, while increasing contributions from AI-related products should narrow the traditional gap between peak and off-peak seasons. ZDT aims to raise the combined revenue share of servers, optical modules and IC substrates to 45–50% by 2030.

The global NAND market tightened sharply in the second quarter of 2026 as AI workloads shifted from training to inference, driving demand for enterprise SSDs and squeezing consumer supply. The trend matters because it is reshaping storage prices, supplier rankings, and the availability of devices and servers worldwide.
As AI workloads push data center interconnects from 800G toward 1.6T, indium phosphide (InP) has become a critical material for high-speed optical links, particularly for longer-distance transmission. But crystal growth challenges, supply constraints and high costs are prompting the industry to explore gallium arsenide (GaAs) as a partial alternative for shorter-reach connections, with the technology expected to become clearer by 2028.

Odisha's state cabinet has approved a third amendment to its Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy, adding fresh capital support to attract projects backed by India's national chip-making push, according to state officials cited by regional outlets on August 12, 2026.

Bijan Nowroozi, Head of Ecosystem Development at Lightmatter, announced at the OCP APAC Summit 2026 that the company has released an infrastructure white paper aimed at building a more unified, less fragmented supply chain for photonic interconnects.
Siemens EDA has introduced an AI-Native Design strategy in Seoul, aiming to help chipmakers and system designers manage rising complexity while reducing the risk of AI errors. The move could shape how semiconductor tools evolve worldwide, as companies seek faster, more reliable automation across increasingly global supply chains.
Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom are moving beyond chip-level design into subsystems and complete systems, a shift that is increasing the need to account for thermal, electrical, mechanical and other physical effects earlier in the design process, according to Synopsys executives.

NXP Semiconductors has begun expanding its Petaling Jaya assembly and test site in Malaysia, a move that could support semiconductor supply chains worldwide by adding capacity, automation, and geographic diversification. The project is part of a broader effort to improve manufacturing resilience as global demand and supply risks continue to shape the industry.