TSMC Begins Establishment of New Production Base in Germany
TSMC is accelerating the diversification of its production base by starting construction of its first European plant in Dresden, Germany. Dresden, Germany is adjacent to TSMC’s customers such as Bosch, Infineon, and NXP, and TSMC plans to build a monthly production capacity of 40,000 units at the plant. There are predictions that TSMC’s aggressive expansion of production capacity will further widen the gap with competitors such as Samsung Electronics.
According to Taiwanese media outlets on the 20th (local time), TSMC will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its Dresden, Germany plant on the same day. TSMC plans to introduce 28/22㎚ (nanometers, one billionth of a meter) complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology and 16/12㎚ FinFET process to this plant. TSMC plans to begin full-scale operation of the Dresden plant from the end of 2027.
Wayvis, a ‘domestic production of strategic semiconductors’, submits a securities report for listing on KOSDAQ
Wayvis, the first company in Korea to successfully localize mass production technology for gallium nitride (GaN) RF (radio frequency) semiconductor chips, announced on the 23rd that it had submitted a securities report for listing on KOSDAQ to the Financial Services Commission on the 22nd.
The gallium nitride compound semiconductors and their application products that Wayvis researches, develops, and produces perform the power amplification function, which is a core function of all wireless signal systems. It has forward markets including advanced weapon systems, anti-drone, mobile communication infrastructure, and satellites.
Wayvis has internalized all of the GaN RF semiconductor chip, package transistor, module development and mass production process technologies. GaNRF is designated as a strategic key material by the United States, Japan, and Europe, which have major suppliers around the world, and is subject to strict export controls.
China imports 35 trillion won worth of semiconductor equipment from January to July… largest ever
On the 22nd (local time), Bloomberg reported that Chinese companies increased imports of related equipment in preparation for the strengthening of semiconductor export controls by the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands, exceeding the previous record set in 2021.
Chinese companies have been buying equipment from companies like Tokyo Electron, ASML and Applied Materials over the past year, buying low-cost equipment as the U.S. and its allies restrict access to advanced equipment.
Dutch exports to China thus surpassed $2 billion (about 2.7 trillion won) for the second time ever in July. Dutch company ASML’s exports to China surged 21% in the second quarter, accounting for almost half of the company’s total sales.
Isupetasis to Build Semiconductor Parts Factory in Daegu… Investing 300 Billion Won
Isupetasys, a printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer, is building an additional semiconductor parts manufacturing plant in the Dalseong 1st Industrial Complex in Daegu. On the afternoon of the 22nd, Daegu City signed an investment agreement with Isupetasys at the City Hall Sanggyeok Building.
The company will build a new multilayer printed circuit board (MLB) factory on a 21,344㎡ (6,468 pyeong) site within the Dalseong 1st Industrial Complex.
The total investment is 300 billion won, including the cost of purchasing paper and constructing a factory. This factory is Isu Petasis’ fifth related manufacturing facility in Dalseong 1st Industrial Complex.
Haas begins development of core materials for semiconductor packaging
Haas, a company specializing in prosthetic materials for dental implants, announced on the 22nd that it is embarking on technology development for the domestic production of key materials for semiconductor packaging.
According to Haas, the company was selected for a national project (project name: Wafertype aluminosilicate glass substrate manufacturing and development of 10㎛ or less via hole processing technology based on photochemical reaction) for the material component technology development project hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and has begun developing technology for domestic production of key materials for semiconductor packaging.
Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid Production Plant with Annual Capacity of 50,000 Tons to be Built in Ulsan
According to Ulsan City on the 20th, a large-scale ‘anhydrous hydrofluoric acid’ production facility will be built on the site of Fluorine Korea, a subsidiary of BGF Eco Materials, in the Onsan National Industrial Complex in Ulju-gun. Approximately 150 billion won will be invested in the project, and it is scheduled for completion in 2026.
After completion, the plant will produce 50,000 tons of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid annually, which is about half of the domestic consumption.
This investment by BGF Eco Materials is being promoted in line with the government’s strategy to reduce dependence on overseas sources of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid by half by 2030.
Intecplus Signs Supply Contract with World’s No. 1 Foundry and Board Inspection Equipment
Intecplus, a semiconductor exterior inspection equipment specialist, announced on the 20th that it signed a supply contract for the FC-BGA (Flip Chip Ball Grid Array) substrate inspection equipment, ‘ISIS-NTV’, with a Taiwanese global foundry company.
The company is a global foundry company headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, with a 60% global foundry market share. It also manufactures more than 12,000 semiconductors for 530 companies worldwide.
Intecplus has maintained an ongoing partnership with this company since beginning research and development in 2023, and sees this contract to supply testing equipment as a result.
US Ford adjusts electric vehicle production speed… Strengthens battery cooperation with SK and LG
U.S. automaker Ford has decided to slow down its electric vehicle production plans, taking on trillions of dollars in losses, in response to slowing demand for electric vehicles.
At the same time, the company has decided to increase production in the U.S. and bring forward the start of production of batteries, which are key to electric vehicle competitiveness, through cooperation with Korean manufacturers such as SK On and LG Energy Solution.
On the 21st (local time), Ford issued a press release announcing a strategy to improve the efficiency of its electric vehicle business, with these contents as its main points.
Lotte Construction, EVIS, TLX Join Hands to Respond to Electric Vehicle Fires
Lotte Construction announced on the 22nd that it signed a ‘business agreement for the development of a fire prevention and spread prevention system’ with EVIS, an electric vehicle charging equipment company, and TLX, a battery fire safety material specialist.
As concerns about the safety of electric vehicles grow due to a series of recent electric vehicle fires, the three companies will use this agreement as an opportunity to establish a response system for electric vehicle fires.
Lotte Construction plans to use thermal imaging cameras and temperature sensors equipped with Evesys’ new fire prevention technology to monitor electric vehicle charging in real time, and if any abnormal signs related to fire are detected, send a notification to the fire prevention room and immediately stop charging to prevent overcharging.
Stellantis ‘electric vehicle subsidy’ postpones Illinois plant plan
Stellantis, one of the top three automakers in the U.S., announced on the 20th (local time) that it is postponing plans for an automobile plant in Illinois that was selected as a recipient of subsidies for electric vehicle production facilities by the Biden administration.
Stellantis said in a statement that day that it had “notified the United Auto Workers (UAW) that plans for its Belvidere, Illinois plant will be delayed.”
Stellantis explained the background, saying, “To ensure the company’s future competitiveness and sustainability and to preserve manufacturing jobs in the United States, all investments must be consistent with market conditions and the ability to accommodate diverse consumer demands.”
EU slightly lowers additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, sends ‘negotiation signal’
The European Union (EU) has left the door open for negotiations over its planned ‘tariff bomb’ on Chinese electric vehicles.
According to the draft final tariff decision announced by the EU Commission on the 20th (local time), the additional tariff rate on Chinese electric vehicles has been set at 17.0 to 36.3 percentage points (p).
The maximum additional tariff rate of 38.1%p announced in June was lowered by 0.5%p to 37.6%p last month, and then slightly lowered again today. If this plan is confirmed, the final tariff rate will be 27.0-46.3%, in addition to the existing general tariff rate of 10%.
Xiaomi records highest-ever sales in Q2 despite loss on new electric car development costs
China’s Xiaomi posted its best-ever performance in the second quarter, helped by brisk sales of electric vehicles and smartphones.
According to a report by Chinese economic media Caixin on the 22nd, Xiaomi announced the previous day that its sales in the second quarter were 88.9 billion yuan (16.6 trillion won), up 32% from the same period last year. Net profit also increased by 20.1% to 6.175 billion yuan (1.15 trillion won). This surpassed the record-high sales of 87.8 billion yuan (16.4 trillion won) in the second quarter of 2021.
This year’s second quarter sales reflected for the first time the sales of Xiaomi’s electric vehicle SU7, which was released at the end of March. Sales of innovative businesses such as electric vehicles in the second quarter amounted to 6.4 billion yuan (1.2 trillion won), accounting for 7.2% of total sales.
EcoPro and GEM establish strategic partnership to secure nickel and precursors
EcoPro announced on the 20th that it signed a business agreement with its family company EcoPro BM and Chinese precursor manufacturer GEM for strategic cooperation in raw materials and the entire value chain at QMB, a nickel smelter located in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
The signing ceremony was attended by Ecopro BM CEO Choi Moon-ho, Management Support Headquarters Director Kim Jang-woo, and Strategic Purchasing Team Leader Shin Ho-sang. GEM’s key executives, including Chairman Heo Gae-hwa and President Jang Myo, attended.
Through this MOU, the two companies agreed to strengthen the global competitiveness of the entire value chain spanning nickel, precursors, and cathode materials, including securing nickel raw materials, supplying mid- to long-term precursors, and establishing a strategic research mechanism.
LNF to Promote Issuance of 250 Billion Won Permanent CB… Investment in New Business
NF is pushing forward with issuing 250 billion won worth of perpetual convertible bonds (CB) to invest in new businesses.
LNF announced on the 23rd that it has selected Mirae Asset Securities as the lead manager for the issuance of perpetual CBs and is currently negotiating the terms of the total acquisition. The company believes that this financing will enable it to secure funds for new businesses such as the lithium and cathode material businesses and improve its financial structure.
LNF is adjusting the pace of new investments in cathode materials in response to the decreased demand for cathode materials during the Chasm period (temporary stagnation in demand).
Uber, GM Cruise Join Hands for Self-Driving Service
Cruise, the autonomous driving subsidiary of American automaker General Motors (GM), plans to provide self-driving cars to American car-sharing company Uber starting next year.
Cruise announced a partnership with Uber on the 22nd (local time), saying that starting next year, users will be able to call Cruise’s self-driving cars through the Uber app.
“We are excited to partner with Uber to provide safe and reliable autonomous ride-hailing services to more customers,” said Cruise CEO Mark Whitton, while Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said, “We are excited to partner with Cruise and look forward to launching next year.” The two companies did not disclose specific terms of the partnership.
Autonomous driving startup WeRide postpones US listing
Chinese autonomous driving startup WeRide has postponed its initial public offering (IPO) plans in the United States, CNBC reported on the 22nd (local time).
“Updating transaction documents is currently taking longer than expected and we are working to complete the documentation required to complete the transaction,” WeRide said in a statement on the day.
WeRide planned to raise up to $440 million by issuing 6.5 million ADS shares at a range of $15.50 to $18.50. Chinese government approval for the deal expires this week, and it is unclear whether the company will have to reapply for approval if it misses the IPO deadline, CNBC reported.
Waymo, Google’s self-driving subsidiary, “surpasses 100,000 paid rides per week”
Waymo, Google’s self-driving subsidiary, announced on the 20th (local time) that the number of paid rides per week exceeded 100,000 as of last month. This is one year after the paid service began in San Francisco, California in August of last year, followed by Los Angeles, Phoenix, Arizona, and Austin, Texas.
In particular, the number of paid rides per week was 50,000 in May, doubling in just two months. Waymo explained, “San Francisco has the most rides among the cities where paid rides are in operation.”
Tesla delays launch of FSD driver assistance system in China
On the 19th (local time), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that the reason Chinese regulators are not approving Tesla’s latest driver assistance software, Full Self-Driving (FSD), released in the United States is due to concerns about accidents and data security related to the system. Tesla has also not yet received approval to transfer driving data collected from Tesla owners in China to the United States to train artificial intelligence (AI) driving models.
Tesla’s current Chinese website states that it would require billions of miles of driving and regulatory approval to offer the latest FSD feature to Chinese customers.
Authorities are also said to be concerned that Tesla’s system has not been sufficiently trained in China and may not be able to properly recognize and respond to local traffic conditions.
Prosecutors indict 3 former LGD employees who handed over OLED technology to China
According to the legal community on the 20th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s Information Technology Crime Investigation Department (Chief Prosecutor Ahn Dong-geon) recently indicted two people, including former LG Display team leader A, on charges of violating the Industrial Technology Protection Act and the Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act, and indicted one person without detention.
Person A, who worked in OLED and other related fields at LG Display for about 20 years, was found to have committed the crime while moving to a large Chinese display company. Person A and others took pictures of the design drawings of LG Display’s Guangzhou, China factory between 2021 and 2022 and handed them over to a Chinese competitor.
After the transfer, it was investigated that he had conspired with employees who were working at LG Display at the time to steal large OLED mass production technology. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Industrial Technology Security Investigation Unit sent four current and former LG Display employees, including Mr. A, to the prosecution, but the prosecution only indicted two people who were acknowledged to have conspired with Mr. A.
OLED shipments also hit record high amid a flood of new foldable phone products
According to market research firm UBI Research on the 23rd, OLED shipments for foldable phones in the second quarter more than doubled from the previous quarter (4.58 million units) to 9.94 million units. The proportion of OLED shipments for foldable phones out of total smartphone OLED shipments was 5.2%, the second highest ever.
In particular, the quantity of OLEDs for foldable phones is expected to increase further in the second half of the year, with total shipments expected to exceed 40 million units this year.
In addition, it is expected that in 2028, the quantity of OLEDs for foldable phones will account for 9.9% of all OLEDs for smartphones, and the sales share will increase to 27.5%.
LG Electronics maintains No. 1 position in global OLED TV market in first half of the year… “53% market share”
According to market research firm Omdia on the 19th, LG Electronics accounted for approximately 53% of the entire OLED TV market in the first half of the year based on shipments. The company explained that it has solidified its leadership in next-generation premium TVs by leading the way with various form factors such as transparent, wireless, and bendable, as well as the industry’s largest lineup (40-90 inches), led by the AI TV ‘OLED Evo’.
In particular, in the first half of this year, driven by large-scale sporting events and a rebound in global premium TV demand, the sales share of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TVs in the premium TV market (over $1,500) reached an all-time high of about 45%. The share of OLED TVs, which was about 32% in the first half of last year, increased by 13 percentage points in just one year.
By region, OLED TV sales in the European TV market recorded 16.9%, the highest ever for the same period. Europe, one of the two largest premium TV markets along with North America, is the market with the highest demand for OLED TVs in the world.
Source: kipost.net