GlobalFoundries plans major expansion of Dresden chip fab with EUR1.1 billion investment

US-based chipmaker GlobalFoundries is preparing a major expansion of its wafer fabrication facility in Dresden, Germany, which is currently the largest such plant in Europe. Citing a report from Handelsblatt, German media outlets Heise.de and n-tv say GlobalFoundries aims to invest EUR1.1 billion (approx. US$1.26 billion) over the next several years to nearly double the fab’s production capacity.

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Goke takes control of SMIC-founded NSI in push into BAW filters, MEMS foundry tech

Hunan Goke Microelectronics Co. (Goke) announced on June 5, 2025, its plan to acquire a 94.366% stake in Ningbo Semiconductor International Corporation (NSI) through a mix of share issuance and cash. To fund the deal, Goke intends to raise capital from up to 35 qualified investors via a private placement. The transaction constitutes a major asset restructuring, and Goke shares resumed trading on June 6, 2025.

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Protrade Applied Materials expands SEA presence

Protrade Applied Materials, a subsidiary of Weblink International specializing in the distribution of industrial raw materials, posted a record-high consolidated revenue of NT$6.07 billion (approx. US$203.08 million) in 2024. Despite uncertainties in the global economic and trade markets, the company anticipates steady growth in businesses with rigid demand such as tires, adhesives, and waterproof roofing.

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TSMC’s additional US$100B investment prompts Trump administration to intensify pressure on Samsung

Samsung Electronics is facing a challenging period as the Trump administration, which took office in January 2025, enforces its “America First” tariff and investment policies. Initially targeting TSMC and Apple by demanding significant increases in their US investments, recent shifts have seen mounting pressure directed at companies like Samsung, putting executive chairman Jae-Yong Lee in a difficult position.

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NTU researchers, global teams target human-like robot collaboration amid power limitations

International research teams are accelerating efforts to enable human-like collaboration among robots using vision-language-action (VLA) models, aiming for interactions as natural and seamless as those between people. These advances could open the door to widespread applications in healthcare, caregiving, and food service—if current technological limitations, particularly energy efficiency, can be overcome.

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Taiwan’s Heran sets sights on smart home leadership with advanced AI and connectivity

Heran, a Taiwan-based smart appliance maker, is stepping up its drive into next-generation connected living, laying out an ambitious strategic roadmap at its latest shareholders’ meeting. As augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) technologies reshape the modern home, Heran is staking its position at the nexus of connectivity, intelligence, and sustainability.

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