The US Department of Commerce (DOC) decided on October 1, 2024, to impose countervailing duties (CVD) on solar panels imported from four Southeast Asian (SEA) countries: Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. These nations accounted for 80% of US solar energy product imports in 2023, with many involved companies being China-funded
SK Hynix is set to diversify its supply chain for thermocompression bonding (TCB) equipment used in HBM manufacturing. The company acquired an order of 30 units of TCB machines from ASM Pacific Technology (ASMPT) in September 2024, South Korean media outlet TheElec reports. This move aims to reduce the firm's dependence on Hanmi Semiconductor while ramping up its production of 12-layer HBM3E products
With the rise of Chinese chip manufacturers in recent years, local customer development and technical support have become key factors in their globalization efforts. Hua Dong, president of Avnet China, stated that through the local workforce deployment of international IC distributors in overseas markets, existing business networks can quickly assist Chinese chip manufacturers
Reports suggest that the Chinese government is discouraging local companies from purchasing Nvidia's AI chips, which may affect Samsung Electronics' High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) sales. Newsis reported that Samsung is currently supplying HBM for Nvidia's H20 custom chips for China. This marks the first instance of Samsung's HBM3 being used in Nvidia's chips. If the Chinese government implements a ban, the impact on Samsung could be significant
Intel has announced plans to include more Vietnamese companies in its ecosystem and provide the Vietnamese government with additional industry-related advice
TikTok's parent company ByteDance has reportedly ordered 100,000 of Huawei's Ascend 910B chips in 2024 to train an AI model, with 30,000 already delivered. ByteDance has not commented on these reports
India-based CG Power and Industrial Solutions has acquired the RF component business of Japan-based Renesas for US$36 million, as both companies, along with Thailand-based Stars Microelectronics, are building their outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facilities in India
The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) recently published the Research Report on Global 5G Standard Essential Patents and Standard Proposals (2024), revealing significant developments in the 5G patent landscape
Fire at Tata's iPhone parts plant in southen India put its ability to operate sophisticated manufacturing to test. Foxconn may make progress on its OSAT venture in India despite delay
Apple announced plans to significantly expand its presence in India by opening four new retail stores and introducing its first-ever "Made in India" iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models, with AirPods production in India on the horizon
According to industry sources, Apple has begun sourcing OLED panels from BOE and other Chinese manufacturers for its next-generation iPhone SE series. Rumors suggest that Apple plans to transition all iPhone models to OLED displays after 2025. Reports indicate that the company has already started placing orders for OLED panels for the upcoming iPhone SE from suppliers such as BOE and LG Display (LGD)
In response to China and Russia's growing friendship, the US Department of Commerce proposed a ban on smart vehicles that would restrict the use of Chinese and Russian software and components. This deepening relationship may have a positive implication for non-Chinese supply chains
As more reports emerge regarding the possible sanction on Chinese displays, the industry is looking out for further movement from the United States. South Korean media reported that Samsung Display (SDC) president Joo Sun Choi believes that the impact of the United States' actions on South Korea remains to be observed
Mitsubishi Electric has announced that silicon power semiconductor chips produced at its Fukuyama factory in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, have begun supplying module assembly lines, with power modules made from these chips starting delivery at the end of September 2024
