SK Hynix has reportedly placed a new order for thermal compression (TC) bonders with Singapore-based ASMPT as it accelerates preparations for HBM4, underscoring both the strategic importance of advanced packaging equipment and rising complexity in the TC bonder supply chain amid a patent dispute between South Korean rivals Hanmi Semiconductor and Hanwha Semitech. The move reflects SK Hynix's broader push to diversify critical equipment suppliers while aligning with Nvidia's next-generation AI roadmap.

NetApp Taiwan general manager Peter Chu said the transition from early AI experimentation to agentic AI running mission-critical workloads is creating unprecedented demands on data complexity, scale, and security, while presenting significant opportunities for NetApp. He remains optimistic about the company's 2026 trajectory and noted that global memory shortages have not affected its operations.

Huawei is moving to capitalize on a tightening consumer solid-state drive (SSD) market in South Korea, introducing new products this month as established suppliers raise prices and Micron prepares to exit the segment. The shift, driven by surging demand for enterprise products supporting artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, is pushing South Korean PC makers to seek alternative suppliers, potentially opening the door for Chinese brands.

China is accelerating its semiconductor capabilities through technical gains at Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.(SMIC) while simultaneously mandating the use of domestic processors across state sectors to circumvent US export controls.

Samsung Electronics is reportedly accelerating construction at its Pyeongtaek semiconductor complex to expand production of next-generation high-bandwidth memory, aiming to secure supply for global cloud providers and AI chipmakers as demand intensifies. The company has reportedly approved plans to convert additional space in its P4 fab into dedicated 1c DRAM lines and has advanced completion dates for key production zones, according to Korean media reports.