SemiVoice

June 2

• Hot Weather Spurs Surge in Food Waste Processor Purchases

  ➀ Rising temperatures are driving increased consumer demand for food waste processors.

  ➁ Brands are introducing smart technology and AI-enhanced models to attract buyers.

  ➂ A Cuckoo store in Seoul showcases microbial-based and dry-crushing models, reflecting market trends.

• Hiperwall Launches Meeting Room Collaboration Sharing Solution 'Engage'

  ➀ Hiperwall introduced 'Engage,' a wireless screen-sharing solution optimized for hybrid work environments, eliminating the need for cables or software installations;

  ➁ The solution enables up to six simultaneous wireless content shares, enhancing team productivity with intuitive UI and enterprise-grade security;

  ➂ Demonstrated at KOBA 2025, it aims to expand into corporate collaboration markets, leveraging Hiperwall's expertise in visualization and video wall technology.

• [Photo] Rising Demand for Food Waste Processors

  ➀ Demand for food waste processors is increasing due to hot weather, driven by consumers seeking efficient disposal solutions;

  ➁ Companies are intensifying marketing efforts by launching AI-powered and smart technology-enhanced models, such as microbial-based and dry-comminuted processors;

  ➂ A Cuckoo store in Seoul’s Songpa District showcases these innovations, reflecting heightened consumer interest in eco-friendly home appliances.

• Korean Semiconductor SMEs Break Through Technological Limits Through Collaboration

  ➀ Dongjin Semichem collaborated with imec since 2005, leveraging shared EUV lithography tools (over ₩200 billion per unit, approximately $166 million) to achieve domestic EUV photoresist production and mass production by 2021;

  ➁ Park Systems partnered with imec in 2015, becoming the world's top atomic force microscope (AFM) manufacturer, with annual revenue growing from ₩20 billion (≈$16.6 million) in 2015 to ₩175.1 billion (≈$145.9 million) in 2024;

  ➂ HPSP commercialized high-pressure hydrogen annealing (HPA) equipment through imec collaboration since 2015, supplying major foundries like TSMC and Samsung, and is now developing next-generation 3D memory and logic device solutions.

• [Photo] Increasing Consumers Seek Food Waste Processors as Weather Heats Up

  ➀ Consumers are increasingly purchasing food waste processors due to rising temperatures, highlighting demand for efficient waste management solutions;

  ➁ Companies are intensifying marketing efforts by launching advanced models integrated with smart technology and AI features;

  ➂ Stores like Cuckoo’s Jamsil branch in Seoul showcase products such as microbial-based processors and dry pulverization-type devices to attract buyers.

• World's Top 5 Semiconductor Equipment Companies' Q1 Sales Grow 23%... China's Share Drops Sharply

  ➀ The combined Q1 2025 revenue of the world's top 5 semiconductor equipment companies (Applied Materials, ASML, Lam Research, TEL, KLA) surged 23% YoY to $27.33 billion, driven by revived investments in Taiwan and South Korea;

  ➦ Taiwan's sales soared 147% (fueled by TSMC's AI chip production) while South Korea grew 88%, reflecting Samsung and SK Hynix's renewed equipment investments amid HBM and AI-driven memory demand recovery;

  ➂ China's share plunged from 45% to 28% due to U.S. export controls pushing domestic equipment procurement, with further declines expected as local suppliers expand.

• Gyeonggi Province Recruiting Companies for ‘2025 Semiconductor Packaging Industry Exhibition’

  ➀ Gyeonggi Province and Suwon City co-host the 2025 Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Industry Exhibition (ASPS) from August 27-29, 2025, with online registration for local companies open from June 4 to July 3.

  ➁ The event will showcase advanced semiconductor packaging technologies, testing equipment, materials, and solutions, alongside international forums, technical seminars, buyer consultations, and job fairs.

  ➂ In 2024, 168 companies and institutions participated with 328 booths, attracting over 11,500 visitors; Gyeonggi’s pavilion highlighted 12 local firms, emphasizing packaging’s role in overcoming ultra-fine process limitations.

• Government-Private Sector Takes First Step in Building iLED Display Ecosystem with Cutting-Edge Technology

  ➀ A public-private collaboration in South Korea has launched an 8-year project with a total investment of 484 billion KRW (~$3.68 billion USD) to develop next-gen inorganic LED (iLED) display technologies, targeting leadership in ultra-fine pixels, high-speed panels, and ultra-large modular displays.

  ➁ The project includes establishing a Smart Modular Center in Asan by 2028 for production testing and certification, alongside 30+ R&D tasks focused on microLED chip manufacturing, quantum dot materials, and modular integration.

  ➂ iLED displays, known for high brightness, longevity, and scalability, aim to revolutionize markets like AR/VR, automotive, and architectural applications, positioning South Korea as a global display industry leader.

• Consumers Increasingly Seeking Food Waste Processors Amid Hot Weather

  ➀ Rising temperatures drive increased consumer demand for food waste processors;

  ➁ Companies strengthen marketing with AI-integrated and smart technology products like microbial treatment machines and dry-crush models;

  ➂ Cuckoo's Seoul showroom reports growing customer interest in advanced food waste disposal solutions

June 1

• Outlook for KDDX Contract by Year-End, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Security Penalty Lifted in November as Variable

  ➀ The detailed design and contractor selection for South Korea's next-generation destroyer (KDDX) are delayed to year-end, impacting competition between HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean;

  ➁ HD Hyundai’s 1.8-point security penalty, linked to a past information leak, will expire in November, strengthening its bidding position;

  ➂ Political pressure favors fair competitive bidding over sole-source contracts, with Hanwha Ocean leveraging its naval project experience and group synergy.

• LX Hausys Supports Improvement of Residential Environments for Group Homes

  ➀ LX Hausys renovated a 30-year-old group home in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, addressing severe mold and insulation issues caused by leaks;

  ➁ The month-long renovation included upgrading windows, flooring, wallpaper, partitions, and furniture boards to create safer living conditions for six residents;

  ➂ This marks the company's third collaboration with Habitat Korea and the Korea Group Home Council to refurbish aging facilities for vulnerable children and youth.

• LGES Begins Mass Production of LFP Batteries for ESS at Michigan Plant in the U.S.

  ➀ LG Energy Solution commenced mass production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems (ESS) at its Michigan facility, supplying major clients like Teragen and Delta;

  ➁ The company accelerated production by repurposing existing electric vehicle battery lines, bypassing original plans to build a new Arizona plant by 2026;

  ➂ Localized manufacturing enhances agility to meet surging ESS demand driven by AI data centers and renewable energy infrastructure.

• HMM Conducts Cleanup Activity at Geojampo Beach to Celebrate Sea Day

  ➀ HMM, along with maritime police and employees, conducted a beach cleanup at Geojampo Beach in Incheon on May 30, collecting marine debris such as plastic waste and fishing equipment;

  ➁ This activity, held annually since 2023, aligns with HMM's ongoing corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on environmental protection, community engagement, and global outreach;

  ➂ HMM has pioneered eco-friendly practices, including recycling ship-generated nylon ropes into raw materials and participating in Incheon Port's resource circulation project to repurpose plastic bottles from vessels.

• LG Electronics Launches 'Whisen AI System Air Conditioner' with Wind Adjustments Based on Sleep Stages

  ➀ LG Electronics announced the launch of the 'Whisen AI System Air Conditioner' equipped with radar sensors and enhanced AI, which automatically adjusts airflow based on sleep stages (e.g., direct wind for rapid cooling before sleep, indirect wind after detecting stable sleep);

  ➁ The AI energy-saving function reduces power consumption by up to 30% through pattern-based optimization, and a self-cleaning feature removes dust and bacteria via condensation and drying;

  ➂ A newly developed 'slim embedding kit' simplifies installation without additional construction work, addressing practical user needs.

• Samsung Electronics Launches 'AI Home Appliance Troika' Festa

  ➀ Samsung Electronics is running the 'AI Home Appliance Troika' Festa until July 31, offering up to 500,000 membership points for purchasing AI-powered air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines;

  ➁ Customers buying AI appliance packages receive additional points, and new subscribers to the 'AI Subscription Club' can win movie tickets through a lottery;

  ➂ Participation events include voting on Samsung.com for desired products to win Starbucks coupons, with 1,000 winners selected.

• Merro Lab Leads Energy Saving Market with Mesh Network-Based Smart Lighting System

  ➀ Merro Lab’s wireless mesh network-based smart lighting system reduces installation costs by 90% and electricity bills by up to 60%, driving demand in logistics and manufacturing facilities;

  ➁ Partnering with energy service companies (ESCOs) like KEPCO-ES and Korea East-West Power under an EPC model, the company’s H1 2025 revenue (surpassing 2024’s full-year total of 45 billion KRW, ~$34.6 million) reflects rapid growth;

  ➂ Focused on large-scale projects and cost optimization, Merro Lab aims to achieve annual profitability, transitioning into a leading energy solutions provider.

May 31

• Doosan Yeongang Foundation Supports 'Doosan Yeongang High School Scholarship Students' with Approximately 500 Million Won

  ➀ The Doosan Yeongang Foundation selected 499 new high school scholarship recipients, providing approximately 500 million KRW (about $384,615) in financial support;

  ➁ The program expanded its reach by adding six underfunded high schools in Seoul's outskirts to ensure equitable access to scholarships;

  ➂ The foundation plans to distribute a total of 3 billion KRW (approximately $2.3 million) annually through various scholarship initiatives in the latter half of the year.

• Murata Expands Automotive Common Mode Choke Coil Lineup... 'Capable of Handling High Currents up to 15A at 150℃ High Temperatures'

  ➀ Murata added new models to its PLT10HH series of common mode choke coils for automotive power line noise suppression, addressing high-temperature and high-current demands in advanced vehicles;

  ➁ The new lineup uses innovative ferrite materials, enabling operation at 150℃ and handling currents up to 15A—10 times higher than previous models at 125℃;

  ➂ Mass production of the upgraded components is set to begin in June 2025 to meet growing industry needs.

• Gyeonggi Province Finalizes Selection of 50 Universities for RISE Program

  ➀ Gyeonggi Province selected 50 universities (25 general and 25 vocational) for its RISE program, a government initiative to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and regional innovation, representing 67% of local universities;

  ➁ Backed by ₩63.6 billion (approx. $46.4 million) in annual funding, the program targets seven future growth sectors, including AI, semiconductors, future vehicles, and aerospace, with grants up to ₩4 billion for general universities and ₩2 billion for vocational institutions;

  ➂ The initiative also emphasizes building regional innovation clusters and fostering partnerships between universities, industries, and local governments to drive economic development.

• Samsung Heavy Industries to Showcase Competitiveness at Nor-Shipping 2025

  ➀ Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) will participate in the Nor-Shipping 2025 exhibition in Oslo (June 2-6) to promote advanced shipbuilding and marine energy technologies;

  ➁ The biennial event, celebrating its 60th anniversary, will host around 1,000 global organizations and companies to discuss industry trends and solutions;

  ➂ SHI plans to secure technical approvals for LNG carriers with solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and sign agreements for 3-cargo tank LNG carriers, emphasizing eco-friendly innovations and global collaboration to lead the market.

• KAIST Professor Team Wins Prestigious Robotics Challenge at Global Conference

  ➀ A KAIST research team led by Professor Myung Hyun won first place in the NSS Challenge 2025 at IEEE ICRA, a top-tier robotics conference, with their LiDAR scan registration technology;

  ➁ The team developed a multi-session framework (CubicFeat, Quatro, Chameleon) to robustly align LiDAR scans in dynamic construction environments, defeating rivals from Taiwan and China;

  ➂ The $4,000-winning technology demonstrates potential for autonomous systems like self-driving cars and drones, marking KAIST's third major ICRA award since 2022.

• Marvell Achieves Record Quarterly Results with Custom AI Semiconductors

  ➀ Marvell reported record Q1 FY26 revenue of $1.895 billion, up 63% YoY, driven by surging demand for custom AI semiconductors, with data center sales accounting for 76% of total revenue;

  ➁ The company anticipates continued growth in AI custom silicon, projecting Q2 revenue of $2 billion (±5%) and EPS of $0.62-$0.72, while its consumer segment is expected to grow ~50% QoQ due to gaming demand recovery;

  ➂ Marvell will host an 'AI Day' on June 17 to unveil its AI silicon roadmap and key customer collaborations.

• Hanmi Semiconductor Completes KRW 130 Billion Stock Buyback

  ➀ Hanmi Semiconductor announced the completion of a KRW 130 billion (approx. $100 million) stock buyback, the largest since its founding, involving 1.302 million shares;

  ➁ This follows a previous KRW 57.3 billion (approx. $44.08 million) buyback from a total KRW 200 billion treasury shares acquired last year;

  ➂ The buyback reduces total outstanding shares, increasing EPS and enhancing shareholder value by improving stock valuation potential.

• LG Electronics CEO Jo Joo-wan Meets Microsoft VP to Discuss AI Cooperation

  ➀ LG Electronics CEO Jo Joo-wan met with Microsoft's Dajan Rodriguez, Corporate VP of Manufacturing & Mobility, to discuss strengthening collaboration in AI-driven businesses;

  ➁ Follow-up discussions focused on potential partnerships in data centers, AI home solutions, and mobility, building on their strategic alliance announced at CES 2025;

  ➂ The companies are jointly developing products including a mobile AI home hub and expanding AI data center technologies.

May 30

• Innométrie to Participate in Germany's 'The Battery Show 2025'

  ➀ Innométrie will exhibit X-ray and CT inspection equipment for secondary batteries at The Battery Show 2025 in Germany, a major European expo with 1,154 participating companies;

  ➁ The company will showcase mock-up equipment and non-destructive testing solutions for prismatic, cylindrical (46π), LFP, and solid-state batteries;

  ➂ CEO Lee Gap-soo highlighted plans to engage global clients, expand collaborations with Chinese manufacturers, and expects domestic orders to resume in Q2, anticipating a performance turnaround in 2025.

• Hanwha Ocean Signs MOU with Polish Shipyard, Aims to Secure Orca Submarine Order

  ➀ Hanwha Ocean signed an MOU with Poland's PGZ SW and Nauta Shipyard to collaborate on shipbuilding, maintenance, and technology transfer for naval vessels, including the Orca submarine project;

  ➁ The agreement follows months of discussions and includes joint development, overseas exports, and modernization of Poland's naval industry;

  ➂ Hanwha aims to strengthen its global defense market competitiveness through this partnership, targeting submarine orders and establishing a new cooperation model.

• Uzbek Government Officials Visit Hoseo University to Benchmark Industry-Academic Cooperation and Discuss Collaboration

  ➀ 17 Uzbek government officials visited Hoseo University to study its industry-academic cooperation model, including ABL-based programs and regional projects in semiconductors, smart factories, and AI;

  ➁ The delegation toured the semiconductor packaging fab and explored partnerships with local ventures like InnoBase and The Young Medi;

  ➂ The visit aimed to enhance Uzbekistan's industrial capabilities by adopting Korea's collaborative frameworks and fostering global talent development.

• LS Materials Develops ESS for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

  ➀ LS Materials and LS Cable jointly developed a hybrid energy storage system (H-ESS) for EV charging stations, integrating high-power capacitors and lithium-ion batteries to enable fast charging and extended lifespan;

  ➁ The system stores reserve power to handle peak demand, reduces fire risks through minimized heat generation, and features a compact design for cost-effective infrastructure deployment in locations like highways and urban charging hubs;

  ➂ Funded by a South Korean government initiative, the technology aims to expand into AI data centers and renewable energy applications, with plans to target global markets in North America and Europe.

• 1 in 2 Samsung All-in-One Washer-Dryer Customers Do Laundry in the Evening

  ➀ 53% of surveyed Samsung BESPOKE AI Combo users do laundry in the evening, surpassing the 42% rate of split-system users;

  ➁ Key purchase drivers include convenience (no manual transfer between washer/dryer), space-saving (40% less space than separate units), and AI features like auto detergent dispensing and customized cycles;

  ➂ The 2025 model increases drying capacity to 18kg (industry-leading) and reduces total cycle time to 79 minutes (20 minutes faster).

• NVIDIA Cancels $8 Billion H20 Orders in Q2 Due to Chinese Export Restrictions

  ➀ NVIDIA revealed that U.S. export controls led to the cancellation of $8 billion in Q2 H20 AI chip orders for China, with $2.5 billion in Q1 revenue recognition blocked;

  ➁ CEO Jensen Huang warned that strict regulations prevent designing Hopper-based products for China, potentially boosting local competitors and weakening U.S. firms' position in China's $50 billion AI semiconductor market;

  ➂ NVIDIA reported Q1 revenue of $44.6 billion (up 69% YoY) and provided Q2 guidance of $45 billion (±2%), while booking $4.5 billion in inventory-related losses.