02 Apr
Latest News and Trends

South Korea exports hit record US$86bn, chip demand drives breakout above US$80bn

South Korea’s exports climbed to a record US$86.1 billion in March 2026, marking the first time monthly shipments have exceeded the US$80 billion threshold, even as the Middle East conflict disrupted logistics and energy flows. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the figure was up 48.3% year on year, extending a 10-month run of record monthly exports and lifting the country’s trade surplus to US$25.7 billion — its 14th straight month in the black.

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02 Apr
Latest News and Trends

TCL acquires majority stake in Sony’s home entertainment business in a strategic global JV

Sony Corporation and TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd. have finalized agreements to form a strategic partnership in the global home entertainment sector, with TCL acquiring a 51% stake and Sony retaining 49%. The joint venture will operate worldwide, managing product development, design, manufacturing, sales, logistics, and customer service for televisions and home audio equipment.

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02 Apr
Latest News and Trends

Topco maintains stable shipments despite Middle East conflict, builds safety stock as AI demand accelerates

As the US-Iran conflict enters its second month, concerns are mounting over potential disruptions to global energy supplies and petrochemical feedstocks. Against this backdrop, Jeffery C.L. Pan, chairman of Taiwan’s Topco Scientific, stated that the company’s operations remain stable, with shipments unaffected to date and upstream cost pressures largely contained.

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02 Apr
Latest News and Trends

France backs Taiwan’s ProLogium with EUR1.5B subsidy to build solid-state battery factory

The French government will provide about EUR1.5 billion (US$1.7 billion) in subsidies to support Taiwanese startup ProLogium Technology’s new factory construction in France. According to Nikkei, this move signals France’s accelerated efforts to attract electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers and marks a shift from its previous “self-reliance” industrial policy focused on EU-based companies.

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02 Apr
Latest News and Trends

Samsung ramps Texas fab as engineers gather for 2nm push

Samsung Electronics has reportedly moved into the equipment installation and testing phase at its foundry in Taylor, Texas, transitioning from construction to operational setup for 2nm production. More than 3,000 engineers from Samsung and global equipment suppliers have begun gathering at the site, according to ET News, signaling the start of large-scale ramp-up activities.

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02 Apr
Latest News and Trends

Asahi Kasei enters AI chip fiberglass market to challenge Nittobo’s dominance

Japan’s Asahi Kasei has announced its official entry into the AI chip supply chain with fiberglass cloth as an insulating substrate material, targeting the current global leader Nittobo, which holds a 90% market share. Meanwhile, Nippon Electric Glass (NEG) also plans to invest in AI-specific fiberglass cloth, signaling accelerated competition among Japanese materials makers for semiconductor opportunities.

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