The German government is preparing billions of euros of new investments into the nation’s semiconductor industry, two months after Intel Corp. shelved plans to build a EUR30 billion (approx. US$32 billion) chip factory in Magdeburg.
Hotai Motor, Taiwan’s automotive leader, projected Taiwan’s vehicle market will reach 460,000 units in 2024, up from a prior estimate of 450,000 units, citing steady domestic demand and improved production conditions.
China’s DRAM spot prices have faced continued declines throughout November, with DDR4 particularly hard hit. In contrast, NAND flash prices have shown signs of stabilizing. Following 2-3 quarters of inventory adjustments, stock pressure has eased significantly. Manufacturers’ tighter supply controls are expected to gradually restore restocking demand.
Samsung Electronics is undergoing a personnel reform in response to the crisis within its semiconductor business. Notably, the head of Device Solutions (DS), Young-Hyun Jun, will also manage the memory division and a new CTO position for foundry services has been introduced.
HMD Global has strategically designated India as a crucial export hub for Nokia phones in response to the evolving dynamics of the global trade environment. The persistent trade tensions between the US and China have prompted the search for alternative supply chains, with India increasingly becoming a favored manufacturing location for numerous companies, including HMD.
Leading offshore wind turbine component maker Yeong Guan Energy Technology has announced that mass production at its Taichung plant will begin in 2025, while its plant in Thailand will begin trial production in mid-2025. Amid the trend toward supply chain diversification, the company has already received numerous inquiries from European companies about production in its Thailand plant, potentially boosting growth next year.
Amid challenges, Samsung has decided to scale back investments in its foundry business, prioritizing existing production lines to reduce losses and refocusing efforts on regaining competitiveness in memory technologies. However, with its foundry lagging in technical competitiveness and large-scale investments difficult to recoup, Donald Trump’s re-election and speculations regarding spinning off Samsung’s foundry unit or collaborating with Intel have further heightened interest in Samsung’s future direction.
Lithium-ion batteries, a cornerstone of modern technology, traditionally rely on cobalt for their stability and energy density. However, cobalt’s high cost, environmental concerns, and its concentration in geopolitically unstable regions have raised alarms about supply chain vulnerabilities.