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Jul 6
Analysis: AI supercycle could drive semiconductor market beyond US$2 trillion by 2030
The global semiconductor market is entering a historically significant growth phase. According to WSTS's latest June forecast, global semiconductor revenue is projected to grow by nearly 90% in 2026, reaching approximately US$1.5 trillion. Growth is expected to remain exceptionally strong in 2027, with year-on-year expansion of around 27%, pushing total market revenue close to US$1.9 trillion.

Tokyo Artisan Intelligence said it has finished validating its Sting Ray test chip, a step that could broaden access to lower-power edge AI hardware for industries worldwide. The milestone highlights how startups and foundries are pushing specialized chips that may ease energy pressure from AI, even as they support real-time applications in factories, transport, and infrastructure.

Unimicron Technology has priced a large overseas depositary receipt sale that could affect global investors monitoring Taiwan's electronics supply chain and semiconductor-related financing trends. The deal, which will fund foreign-currency purchases, is expected to reduce interest costs and strengthen the company's balance sheet, with potential benefits for shareholders worldwide.

The planned acquisition of Element Solutions by Solstice Advanced Materials would create a larger supplier serving electronics, data center cooling, and other industrial markets closely watched by customers and investors worldwide. The deal may reshape competition in advanced materials, where demand is rising alongside artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, and energy-efficient technologies.

AI server demand is lifting shipments of motor-related power devices at Cystech Electronics, helping the Taiwanese MOSFET and diode designer grow first-half 2026 revenue despite memory shortages weighing on networking products. Wafer foundry and packaging capacity remain tight, with rush orders pushing standard lead times from 180 days to 270 days, according to supply chain sources.

Analog Devices (ADI) has reportedly notified customers of extended delivery lead times for certain products, with lead times now reaching six months. The company has advised customers to place orders at least six months in advance to help secure an adequate chip supply.

Memory contract prices are poised for another sharp rise in the third quarter of 2026, even after several quarters of hikes have already begun to weaken consumer demand. Industry sources said hopes for a clear slowdown have faded, as upstream suppliers have signalled increases of around 30%, with enterprise SSD and server RDIMM prices likely to rise by more than 30%.

Micron Technology and Ford Motor Company have entered into a long-term supply agreement to strengthen access to automotive memory and storage products. The deal underscores how chip supply stability is becoming more important for vehicle makers and consumers worldwide as cars rely more heavily on advanced electronics and data systems.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are reportedly accelerating efforts to reduce China's role in their semiconductor supply chains in preparation for the possibility of tighter US export controls. The two companies are said to be restructuring their sourcing of materials, components, and manufacturing equipment that rely heavily on China, while gradually replacing some Chinese-made semiconductor tools with alternatives from South Korea, the US, and other countries.

Huawei's next-generation flagship Mate 90 smartphone series has reportedly entered the chip packaging and testing stage, according to sources within China's supply chain. The lineup is expected to launch in September 2026 and will be the first to feature Huawei's new Kirin 2026 flagship processor, which is based on the company's Tau Scaling (τ) concept. The device is expected to be one of Huawei's flagship demonstrations of its post-Moore semiconductor strategy.

Memory module maker Transcend Information reported consolidated revenue of NT$5.07 billion (approx. US$138.66 million) for June 2026. Revenue declined 19.5% from the previous month due to customer inventory adjustments at the end of the quarter, but it still surged 381.6% compared with June 2025.

Nvidia and other artificial intelligence chipmakers are still facing shortages as TSMC's advanced-node and CoWoS packaging capacity remains tight, pushing demand into foundries, back-end assembly, testing, and overseas fabs. The strain is creating spillover opportunities across the broader semiconductor supply chain, while also exposing how dependent the market has become on limited high-end capacity.