China's Hygon Information Technology is extending its processor ambitions beyond servers and data centers with the launch of its first embedded industrial CPU family, targeting robotics, machine vision, smart manufacturing, and other edge AI workloads.
Taiwan-based light guide plate maker Global Lighting Technologies (GLT) is deepening its pivot into life sciences through its investment in Smobio Technology, for which GLT has begun manufacturing precast protein electrophoresis gels under contract. Small-scale production began in August 2026, following the commencement of the partnership between the two companies in 2025. Monthly demand for precast gels currently sits at roughly 20,000–30,000 sheets, and is expected to grow to 200,000–300,000 sheets in the first half of 2027, according to GLT president Johnny Tsai.
Meta Connect 2026 is set to begin on September 23, with the next generation of AI smart glasses expected to be a key focus. Among the products drawing particular industry attention is a device internally code-named "Luna," which is reportedly being designed without a camera.
Demand from high-tech companies for new research and manufacturing sites remains strong, prompting Taiwan to advance plans to expand Longtan Science Park by 104 hectares as the government seeks to accommodate continued growth in AI and semiconductor industries.
Industry sources say Valve is expected to launch a new Steam Deck in 2027, setting up a tougher contest for Taiwanese original design manufacturer (ODM) Quanta as China's Huaqin moves to win the manufacturing order. The winner has not yet been confirmed.
EZconn said global fiber and optical cable supplies remain tight as AI data center demand overtakes demand from traditional telecom applications, pushing up raw material prices and boosting costs for optical passive components. The company expects the shortage to ease gradually from the second half of 2026 into 2027 as upstream suppliers add capacity, while it negotiates for larger allocations and longer-term supply contracts.
High-speed transmission demand continues to rise on the back of AI server and data center buildouts, while cloud service providers (CSPs) accelerate adoption of in-house application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) platforms. As a result, demand for high-speed connectors and high-speed transmission cables inside servers is also increasing.
Printed circuit board (PCB) wet-process equipment maker Ampoc Far-East said demand for its in-house high-end equipment has surged on AI servers and high-performance computing applications, driving brisk orders in the first half of 2026 and strong utilization rates. Capacity is now close to fully booked, and customers have also begun laying out long-term orders for the next one to two years.
CoreWeave launched a debt sale worth US$3 billion in convertible bonds, which would allow buyers to turn their bonds into shares. The neocloud, which has sharply ramped up its infrastructure spending over the past year, has secured a growing customer base but faces concerns over financial sustainability amid intense competition and fears of an AI slowdown.
The spotlight has been on industry innovation at the 2026 Taipei International Plastics and Rubber Industry Show (TaipeiPLAS), as Taiwan's plastics and rubber sector moves beyond the realm of traditional manufacturing, with forays into high-value applications in aerospace, drones, robotics, automobiles, and healthcare and medicine, aiming to create new value through smart manufacturing, innovative materials, and circular use. According to data from the Ministry of Finance, Taiwan's total exports of plastics and rubber processing machinery reached US$458 million through August 2026.
Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT) chairman Sidney Lu said AI demand remains strong, with overall capacity near full utilization and visibility extending through 2027. Optical communications products began shipping in small volumes in 2026 and are expected to scale further in 2027 and 2028, though adoption will ultimately follow customers. "We cannot run faster than our customers," Lu said.
