Sumitomo Chemical announced it will acquire all shares of Asia Union Electronic Chemical Corp, a Taiwanese manufacturer of semiconductor cleaning agents, with the deal expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The transaction amount has not been officially disclosed but is estimated at around JPY10 billion (approx. US$63.85 million), according to Nikkei Asia.
China's chip-design boom is accelerating despite US export controls, with demand for domestic semiconductors rising sharply. With advanced-node restrictions still in force, Chinese system makers and suppliers are replacing imported components with locally designed chips, propelling the IC design industry into one of its strongest growth phases in decades.
Nvidia's record third-quarter earnings provided rare relief for markets facing rising geopolitical risks. Jensen Huang remained characteristically optimistic, once again rejecting claims that artificial intelligence (AI) is drifting toward a bubble. He highlighted the overwhelming demand for Blackwell chips and cloud GPUs, which continue to sell out across major customers, as evidence of lasting momentum.
Samsung Electronics' 2026 executive reshuffle reinforces its dual-CEO structure, maintaining continuity in mobile and memory leadership while appointing top technology experts to accelerate AI, semiconductor, and advanced research, signaling a strategic focus on long-term innovation and competitiveness amid intensifying global industry pressures.
Taiwan-based integrated circuit (IC) test solution provider WinWay is planning to establish a production facility in Arizona by 2026, a move that reflects shifting global strategies amid the evolving US manufacturing agenda and growing semiconductor demand. The company's expansion into the US market positions it within an emerging local semiconductor cluster and aims to better serve North American customers.
Nvidia reported strong third-quarter results for fiscal 2026 (ending October 2025), driven by robust sales of its Blackwell Ultra chips. Cloud data center revenue rose over 60% year-on-year. The company plans to expand local chip packaging and testing capacity in the US over the next four years, drawing significant attention from the semiconductor industry.
Nvidia's strategic move toward low-power memory for its AI server lineup has set off a procurement scramble across the global tech supply chain. After the company released its fiscal 2026 third-quarter results, a report from Counterpoint Research indicated that Nvidia is adopting LPDDR chips more aggressively, replacing standard DDR modules in select AI server products. LPDDR has traditionally been used in mobile devices, making the shift especially significant.
Nvidia's overseas headquarters is expected to be located at a technology park in Taipei, with the city government currently negotiating contract matters concerning the US tech giant's land rights for the new facility. Nvidia executives are also set to discuss follow-up investment plans with the city government soon.
China's latest IC design forecast projects Shenzhen's chip design revenue will reach CNY204.23 billion (approx. US$28.7 billion) in 2025, keeping it firmly in second place behind Shanghai. Its growth has outstripped other major tech centres in recent years, positioning the city as one of the fastest-rising semiconductor design hubs in the country.
Apple reportedly has increased its orders for A19 and A19 Pro series chips by 4 million to 5 million units over two months, fueled by robust demand for the iPhone 17 series in October and November 2025. This surge has led TSMC to modify its production capacity to accommodate Apple's growing device output.
Wei-Ren Luo, former senior vice president of TSMC, joined Intel after retiring at age 75. He is expected to leverage his expertise in wafer fabrication, R&D, and supply chain management. His move sparked industry concerns over trade secrets and national security, but it will likely benefit Intel greatly.
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