Rapidus, a Japanese chipmaker pursuing 2nm chip mass production, has unveiled significant technological breakthroughs developed with IBM, as former lawmaker Akira Amari warns of risks in global semiconductor supply concentration
As competition in the smartphone market intensifies, Samsung Electronics aims to regain its competitive edge with AI features. However, there are concerns regarding the effectiveness of this strategy, as Samsung has revised its cumulative production targets downward for 2025 amid slow growth in production volumes
At SEMICON Japan 2024 in Tokyo, Rapidus Chairman Tetsuro Higashi revealed that the installation of all equipment for trial production of 2nm chips will be finalized by March 2025, paving the way for production to commence in April
Micron Technology is set to secure up to US$6.2 billion in US subsidies this week, marking the final major agreement under the Biden administration's semiconductor initiative, while Asian tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix remain waiting
China's overall IC design sales are expected to reach CNY646 billion (US$89.66 billion) with a year-over-year increase of around 11.9% in 2024, marking the first time it has been outpaced by the global semiconductor industry growth, estimated at 19% by World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS)
Global EV battery demand outside China increased by 12.7% from January to October 2024. South Korea's top battery makers—LG Energy Solution (LGES), SK On, and Samsung SDI—recorded growth in battery installations during this period
Chinese domestic electronic design automation (EDA) leader Empyrean announced on December 9 that the state-owned China Electronic Corporation (CEC) will become its largest shareholder. Empyrean was included in the latest batch of the US Department of Commerce's Entity List on December 2, and with this new partnership, Empyrean is seen as receiving strong backing from the Chinese government, enhancing control over key semiconductor component enterprises
Japan-based Rohm Semiconductor and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have announced a strategic partnership to advance the development and mass production of gallium nitride (GaN) power devices for electric vehicle (EV) applications. The collaboration combines Rohm's expertise in device development with TSMC's GaN-on-silicon process technology to address the growing demand for high-performance power solutions in the automotive sector
China's automotive sector is witnessing a strategic shift from new energy vehicles to intelligent driving technology in 2024. At the forefront of this transformation is Huawei, whose advanced driving systems, powered by its revitalized self-developed chips, are gaining significant market traction. Leading this momentum is AITO, a key Huawei partner, which has posted record sales of new energy vehicles this year
Japanese company Rohm is collaborating with French automotive component manufacturer Valeo to develop a new generation of electric vehicle (EV) components. Rohm will supply silicon carbide (SiC) power modules for Valeo's inverters, with mass production scheduled to begin in 2026
The second phase of Hua Hong Semiconductor's 12-inch wafer fab expansion in Wuxi held a production ceremony on December 10. This event garnered significant attention following the recent announcement of collaboration between STMicroelectronics (STM) and Hua Hong to produce 40nm microcontrollers (MCUs) locally in China by 2025
The patent dispute between Samsung Display (SDC) and BOE has intensified, with each company initiating lawsuits in the US and China. Meanwhile, the geopolitical climate, especially the tensions between the US and China, further complicates this industry rivalry and may affect panels' supply chain and pricing dynamics
China's antitrust probe into Nvidia may be followed by similar actions against other firms, as Beijing ups the ante in retaliation for the latest US trade restrictions
Japan's leading semiconductor materials manufacturers are making strategic moves to develop crucial components for 1-nanometer chip production, positioning themselves at the forefront of next-generation semiconductor technology
