GlobalFoundries (GF) announced it will acquire Singapore-based silicon-photonics foundry Advanced Micro Foundry (AMF), a move that represents a critical step in its push to advance photonics innovation and solidify its leadership in the field. The acquisition underscores GF's growing confidence in photonics as a cornerstone of future semiconductor and AI infrastructure.

The US is intensifying its use of four key non-tariff measures—anti-dumping duties, balancing taxes, antitrust actions, and forced labor bans—creating mounting compliance and operational challenges for Taiwanese manufacturers. These tools have become central to Washington's trade strategy under President Donald Trump and now pose greater business risks than traditional tariff actions, according to insights shared at workshops hosted by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Ofuna Technology, a provider of PCB laser drilling equipment and processing services, reported a surge in demand driven by the AI industry wave during an investor briefing on November 17, 2025. President Sun Yi-Min disclosed that the utilization rate of its subcontracted laser drilling business reached full capacity as of the fourth quarter of 2025, which the company anticipates will set a peak for 2025 operations and begin reducing losses recorded in the first three quarters.

SK Hynix Inc. is set to capture about 80% of Nvidia Corporation's sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4) demand in 2026, according to market forecasts. This strong positioning is expected to deliver a significant boost to the company's earnings and operating profit, potentially surpassing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

Memory module manufacturer ADATA Technology Co. predicts the tight memory supply situation will continue through 2026, raising concerns about possible shipment reductions in consumer applications next year. Despite the supply constraints, ADATA reports no signs of declining market activity, stating that customers are purchasing only what they can obtain as demand outpaces available inventory.

Gold Circuit Electronics (GCE), a major manufacturer of networking and server printed circuit boards (PCBs), announced the approval of two capex projects totaling NT$8.5 billion (approx. US$270 million). The investments include rebuilding an old factory in Taoyuan acquired from CMC Magnetics and expanding its plant in Thailand.

Samsung Electronics confirmed the first performance results from its upcoming 2nm chip process, signaling a more aggressive push into next-generation foundry manufacturing as it tries to narrow the gap with market leader TSMC.

Silicon Valley venture firm Playground recently showcased seven semiconductor startups at a media event in Taiwan. Beyond the well-known Ayar Labs, d-Matrix, and NextSilicon, two HPC power component startups—PowerLattice and Vertical Semiconductor—stood out.

The 35th Taiwan-Japan Modern Engineering and Technology Symposium opened in Taipei on November 17, with experts highlighting that Taiwan's future economic growth faces challenges from extreme climate events, geopolitical conflicts, US tariff uncertainties, and constraints on critical material supplies. Among these, extreme drought poses the most severe threat to Taiwan's industries, especially the water-intensive semiconductor sector.

Taiwan's Nan Pao Resins Chemical expects semiconductor adhesives to become a major growth driver and has elevated the segment to a top strategic priority. This shift follows the establishment of a new joint venture in August 2025 with Advanced Echem Materials (AEMC) and Trusval Technology, aimed at expanding into advanced adhesive materials for semiconductor packaging.

Silicon Valley venture firm Playground recently held a media event in Taiwan featuring a fireside chat with Ayar Labs, a silicon photonics startup backed by leading chipmakers including Nvidia and AMD. Founder and CEO Mark Wade and former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger discussed the future of silicon photonics.