Formosa Smart Energy has unveiled Taiwan’s first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling pilot line, launched in tandem with the government’s July 1 rollout of discounted disposal fees for used lithium batteries. The initiative aims to boost local investment in battery reuse and closed-loop recycling infrastructure.

The global automotive industry is rapidly pivoting toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), fueling a parallel surge in demand for large in-car displays. Market research firm Omdia forecasts that displays larger than 10 inches will account for a staggering 81% of automotive display sales by 2027, nearly doubling their market share from 2021.

Many South Korean companies are turning to 3D printing to cut production costs, using the technology to manufacture products in critical sectors such as aerospace and defense, areas classified as national core technologies. However, some cases involve the use of Chinese-made 3D printers or subcontractors leaking proprietary technologies to China. Critics argue that South Korea’s current registration-based system for operating 3D printing businesses lacks sufficient oversight, leaving the industry vulnerable to security breaches and intellectual property theft.

The Japan Semiconductor Equipment Association (SEAJ) has updated its sales forecast for Japanese-made semiconductor manufacturing equipment over the next three fiscal years, projecting a steady increase reaching JPY5.51 trillion (US$38.35 billion) by fiscal 2027. The latest forecast sees modest growth driven primarily by investments in cutting-edge chip technologies and AI-related applications.