US semiconductor and electronic materials company Qnity Electronics announced a US$61.5 million investment in Taiwan by acquiring the N9 plant in Zhunan, Miaoli, from Ennostar, aiming to accelerate the expansion of advanced semiconductor material R&D and manufacturing capacity. The new facility is expected to begin operations in early 2027.

China's commerce ministry has warned that the conflict between Dutch chipmaker Nexperia and its Chinese subsidiary could trigger another global semiconductor supply chain crisis, raising fresh concerns over potential disruptions to automotive chip supplies.

Mitsui has concluded a strategic business partnership agreement with Kaynes Semicon Private Limited, an OSAT (semiconductor back-end process) company in India, and AOI Electronics, the largest Japanese OSAT company. The agreement aims to support the start-up and operation of Kaynes' OSAT business and to facilitate sales of products manufactured by Kaynes.

Geopolitical strains between China and Japan have intensified following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on "Taiwan contingencies," impacting Japanese firms' access to high-purity tungsten powder. Although companies maintain inventories, urgent material needs from advanced semiconductor process gases and PCB drill bits face price pressure, prompting some major PCB drill manufacturers to consider price hikes.

The global space communication industry is expanding as the commercialization of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites accelerates, with upstream printed circuit board (PCB) suppliers like Compeq Manufacturing Co. and Unitech Printed Circuit Board Corp. expected to reach peak shipments in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The White House is reportedly drafting a new regulatory framework that would tighten US oversight of global AI chip exports. This move could reshape how advanced computing power is distributed worldwide.

RF front-end supplier RichWave reported at an investor briefing on March 6 that steady demand for Wi-Fi 7 coincided with a slight sequential revenue decline in the fourth quarter of 2025 and modest gross margin improvement driven by product mix shifts.

Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of March 2 - March 8, 2026.

Japanese and South Korean firms are expanding their presence in India as the country strengthens its semiconductor and technology ecosystem. Rohm has partnered with Suchi Semicon for back-end manufacturing, while Hanmi Semiconductor and OLED materials firm Lordin are advancing India plans alongside Micron's new facility.

After the Lunar New Year, LCD TV panel prices have continued to climb, driven by inventory buildup for sports events and rising costs. This momentum pushed February's LCD TV panel prices up by about US$1-2 per unit. Entering March, industry insiders expect sustained strong demand for LCD TV panels, with prices forecast to increase another US$1-3.

Taiwan's tariff negotiations with the US initially yielded relatively favorable terms, bringing Taiwan's export tariffs in line with those of Japan and South Korea. However, a recent US Supreme Court ruling has complicated the outcome. While 70% of Taiwan's exports—primarily electronics and components—remain duty-free under International Trade Administration (ITA) rules, new uncertainties have emerged that could influence Taiwan's trade strategy going forward.