Chinese semiconductor company SMIC’s first-quarter net profit up 162% YoY
The performance of SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.), China’s largest foundry, has shown a sharp increase in the first quarter of this year, even amid the competition for hegemony between the US and China over key technologies.
According to AFP and local Chinese media outlet Kechuangbanlibao on the 9th, SMIC announced in a disclosure on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange the previous day that the company’s net profit for the first quarter was 188 million dollars (approximately 266 billion won), a 161.9% increase year-on-year.
This is a significant improvement after last year’s overall net profit plunged about 45% compared to 2023, AFP noted. Sales in the first quarter increased 28.4% compared to the same period last year, recording $2.2 billion (about 3.1 trillion won).
Apple Develops Semiconductor for Smart Glasses… AI Server Chip Development Also Accelerated
On the 8th (local time), Bloomberg explained that Apple is developing a dedicated semiconductor for smart glasses and that this semiconductor can be mass-produced in 2027. This means that Apple’s smart glasses could appear within the next two years. Production, like other Apple semiconductors, will be handled by Taiwan’s TSMC.
Apple is using semiconductors it designed itself for its extended reality (XR) headset, the Vision Pro. Like the Vision Pro, it is also designing its own semiconductors for smart glasses. Bloomberg explained that since energy consumption is important for smart glasses, development is being done based on the semiconductors installed in the Apple Watch.
Mikoceramics Gangneung 4th Factory Completed
On the morning of the 9th, at 10:00 AM, Miko Ceramics held the completion ceremony for its 4th Gangneung factory in the Gangneung Science Industrial Complex in Bangdong-ri, Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung-si, with the attendance of approximately 50 people including Miko Chairman Choi Yong-ha, executives and staff, Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-gyu, and Gangneung City Council Chairman Choi Ik-soon.
The expanded Gangneung 4th factory began construction in May of last year, and is built on a three-story building with a total floor area of 12,730㎡. A total of 65.5 billion won will be invested over three years to build the factory and facilities, and an additional 60 employees will be hired in the region.
The main products are ceramic heaters and electrostatic chucks (ESC), and based on the original ceramic material technology, the company is leading the domestic production of ceramic parts for semiconductor equipment.
“Huawei is building a large-scale production facility to achieve ‘China’s semiconductor independence’”
The British daily Financial Times (FT) reported on the 4th (local time) that Huawei, China’s largest telecommunications equipment company, is building a large-scale production facility that will allow it to handle the entire process required to produce high-performance semiconductors within China.
According to satellite images obtained by the FT, the factories are expected to be built starting in 2022 and are being built at a rapid pace, forming a sort of factory complex.
Two of the factories under construction are owned by two other Chinese semiconductor startups, not Huawei, but industry officials and local residents say they are effectively Huawei’s own.
BASF to expand sulfuric acid production facility for semiconductors in Germany
BASF is expanding its production capacity for sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), an ultra-pure chemical for semiconductors.
BASF announced on the 8th that it will invest tens of millions of euros in Ludwigshafen, Germany, where its headquarters is located, to build a state-of-the-art purity facility to produce sulfuric acid for semiconductors.
The new facility is targeted to be operational in 2027, the company said, to meet growing demand for advanced semiconductor chip manufacturing in Europe as key customers expand production.
Missing the Chinese Market… “NVIDIA Releases AI Chips with Lower Performance”
It has been reported that Nvidia, an American artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor design company, has decided to release a low-spec version of its H20 chip exported to China in order to comply with the U.S. government’s strengthened export control standards. Citing three sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported on the 9th that Nvidia has decided to release a low-spec version of the H20 chip within the next two months.
The H20 chip was previously the most powerful Nvidia chip that could be exported to China, but exports to China have effectively been blocked since U.S. authorities last month tightened standards requiring a permit for exports of this chip to China.
Nvidia will significantly reduce the specifications of its H20 chip, including significantly reducing the memory capacity, to ensure it passes the tougher standards, sources said.
Edge Foundry, Full-scale Internalization of WLP Process “Establishment of Mass Production System”
Sensor specialist Edgefoundry announced on the 8th that it will complete the introduction of key equipment for internalizing the WLP (Wafer Level Packaging) process by August.
Edgefoundry has prioritized process internalization and establishment of a CMOS-compatible mass production system since successfully completing the merger with Hanwha Intelligence last March. The equipment being introduced this time is the WLVP (Wafer Level Vacuum Package) equipment and plating equipment required for MBA (Micro Bolometer Array) production, and it is expected to dramatically increase the competitiveness of IR sensor production
China’s BYD abandons lithium plant in Chile’s Atacama
BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, has scrapped plans to build a lithium cathode material plant in Chile. Chile said the reason was “a change of heart on the part of the company due to falling lithium prices,” while BYD took issue with “licensing practices,” revealing a difference of opinion.
Chile’s Production Promotion Agency (CORFO) announced on the 8th (local time) that the lithium-related project with BYD, which was launched in accordance with the policy of activating public-private partnerships, has been withdrawn due to changes in the company’s circumstances.
The Production Promotion Agency, which oversees lithium production-related affairs in Chile, which forms the “lithium triangle” along with Argentina and Bolivia, explained in a press release on its website that “BYD has expressed its intention to withdraw its participation in the plan to develop lithium deposits in the Atacama Desert,” and that “BYD Chile has also informed us that it will not even implement the option it has chosen.”
SFA Wins 100 Billion Won Order for Battery Company’s North American Plant Facilities
SFA (CEO Kim Young-min, hereinafter referred to as SFA), a domestic comprehensive equipment company, announced on the 9th that it has secured a large-scale order worth 100 billion won for a major domestic client company’s investment in a new manufacturing line in North America.
SFA is known to have won a lump-sum order for the logistics system and degassing equipment for the Mars process. SFA expected that this order would be a green light for improving the performance of the secondary battery business division, which had been sluggish due to the effects of the past chasm and the bankruptcy of a customer company.
Top Materials Invests in US Lithium-ion Battery Technology Company ‘PosiNano’
Top Material, a secondary battery total solution specialist, announced on the 7th that it has invested in ‘Forge Nano’, a leading battery and semiconductor innovation technology company located in Denver, Colorado, USA.
PosiNano is a company that possesses ALD (atomic layer deposition) technology. It is a technology that dramatically improves the lifespan and safety of secondary batteries by coating the surface of positive electrode active materials or silicon negative electrode active materials at the atomic level. This technology is known to be applicable to a wide range of fields, including semiconductor wafers and pharmaceuticals, in addition to secondary batteries.
Previously, PosiNano attracted large-scale investments from GM Ventures, an investment company of General Motors, and Volkswagen, and is planning to build a 3GWh battery cell factory in North Carolina with confirmed subsidies from the U.S. government.
Lotte Energy Matters, 1st quarter operating loss of 46 billion won… “Expecting a turnaround in the second half”
Lotte Energy Materials announced on the 9th that it recorded sales of 158 billion won and an operating loss of 46 billion won based on its preliminary consolidated performance for the first quarter of this year. Sales decreased by 34.6% compared to the same period last year and operating profit turned into a deficit.
Regarding the outlook for the second quarter performance, it is expected that although there is still uncertainty in the upstream industry due to the impact of the U.S. tariff policy, there will be a gradual recovery in operating rate and improvement in profitability due to the active inventory depletion implemented since the second half of last year and the depletion of copper foil inventory by customers.
Nissan abandons construction of Kyushu battery plant… “Investment reduced due to poor performance”
Japanese automaker Nissan has decided to abandon its plans to build an electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 9th, Nissan announced that it was withdrawing its plans to build an EV battery factory in Kitakyushu.
Nissan signed an agreement with Fukuoka Prefecture and Kitakyushu City in January to build a battery factory, but the plan was scrapped after only about four months due to poor performance.
A Nissan official said on the day, “We apologize for this happening in such a short period of time,” and “This is the result of a careful review taking into account the business environment.”
Nickel Price Halved This Year: Oversupply of 200,000 Tons… “China’s Cause: Mass Production Without Asking”
According to the International Nickel Study Group (INSG) on the 9th, the nickel oversupply this year is expected to expand from 179,000 tons last year to 198,000 tons this year.
Nickel is the main raw material that accounts for 30% of the cost of cathode materials, one of the four major battery materials. Domestic companies that focus on high-nickel cathode materials with high nickel content are sensitive to nickel prices.
This year, nickel production is expected to exceed demand (3.537 million tons) at 3.735 million tons. Typically, one high-nickel battery requires about 40 kg of nickel. By simple calculation, there is a surplus of nickel this year that can produce about 5 million batteries.
Secondary battery equipment company CIS to invest 37 billion won to build new factory in Dalseong, Daegu
CIS, a secondary battery manufacturing equipment company headquartered in Daegu, is investing 37 billion won to build a new factory in Technopolis, Dalseong-gun, Daegu.
According to the agreement, CIS will invest 37 billion won in a 37,208㎡ site within Technopolis to establish a new ‘Dalseong Plant.’ This plant will produce secondary battery electrode process equipment such as coaters, calendars, and slitters.
Founded in 2002, CIS is a key mid-sized company in the secondary battery industry, specializing in manufacturing electrode process equipment essential for secondary battery production. Last year, it acquired and merged with SNU Precision, a company specializing in deposition and inspection/measurement equipment, thereby completing business diversification and internalization of core technologies.
Xiaomi Electric Car Removes ‘Smart Driving’ Name After Fatal Accident
Xiaomi Automobile has changed the name of its electric car from “smart driving” to “assisted driving” on its official website and app following a recent accident that killed three female college students. This comes as Chinese authorities are strengthening their oversight of autonomous driving functions in the automobile industry following a series of fatal accidents.
According to China Economic Observatory, on the 4th, Xiaomi changed the wording on its new car order site for its own electric vehicle model, the SU7, from “smart driving” to “assisted driving.”
Hyundai Motor Invests in US Aurora Autonomous Truck, Starts Commercial Unmanned Operations
Aurora, a U.S. autonomous vehicle startup invested in by Hyundai Motors, announced that it has launched a commercial autonomous trucking service in Texas. According to Aurora’s announcement on the 2nd (local time), the company provided customers with a driverless truck delivery service between Dallas and Houston, Texas this week.
The company said, “Aurora has become the first company to operate a commercial autonomous service for large trucks on public roads.” Previously, Aurora had been conducting a self-driving truck test run on the Dallas-Houston route for Uber Freight customers in Texas since late 2021.
Tesla prepares for mass production of fully autonomous vehicle ‘Cybercap’
Tesla’s fully autonomous electric car ‘Cybercab’, which does not even have a steering wheel or pedals, has been unveiled. It is speeding up preparations for mass production thanks to the movement to ease regulations related to autonomous vehicles in the United States. According to the information technology (IT) industry on the 8th, Tesla is known to be preparing the process and equipment for the production of Cybercab.
Cybercab is a two-seater robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals. Since there is no need to drive, there are no mirrors. It features a large touchscreen in the center and comfortable seating for two people.
Toyota, Waymo Partner on Autonomous Driving Technology
Japan’s Toyota Motor will collaborate with Waymo, Google’s autonomous driving subsidiary in the US, in the autonomous vehicle sector. Toyota’s software and mobility technology development subsidiary, Woven by Toyota, will also participate in the collaboration. Toyota will work with Waymo to improve autonomous driving technology, and Waymo plans to use Toyota cars for autonomous taxi services.
In addition, we are exploring ways to apply autonomous driving technology to privately owned vehicles.
The two companies plan to jointly develop a new autonomous vehicle platform by leveraging their respective strengths, and the specific scope and content of the cooperation will continue to be discussed in the future.
“OLED luminescent material usage expected to increase 28% year-on-year this year”
It is projected that the use of luminescent materials for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) will increase by 28% this year compared to the previous year.
According to the ‘2025 OLED Luminescent Material Report’ recently published by market research firm UBI Research on the 8th, the usage of OLED luminescent materials last year was 129 tons, an increase of nearly 30% compared to the previous year (101 tons).
UBI Research forecasted that this year, OLED light-emitting material usage will exceed 165 tons, including 111 tons in Korea and 54.4 tons in China, and increase to 230 tons in 2029.
Seoul Semiconductor Q1 operating loss 19.6 billion won… deficit widens
Seoul Semiconductor announced on the 9th that its consolidated operating loss for the first quarter of this year was provisionally calculated to be 19.6 billion won, a larger deficit compared to the same period last year (3.6 billion won).
Sales decreased 1% year-on-year to KRW 239.2 billion. Net loss widened to KRW 24.7 billion.
Nano CMS participates in national project to develop next-generation display materials
On the 9th, Nano CMS announced that it had been selected as a participating company in the national project to develop advanced display solutions hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The development of advanced display solutions is centered on visible-light/invisible-light conversion display technology, and is being promoted as part of the government’s electronic component technology development project.
Nano CMS plans to develop a technology that maximizes visibility by selectively controlling the wavelength of light using precision nanomaterial technology.
Source: kipost.net