SemiVoice

August 22

• Lotte Chemical Launches New Premium Artificial Marble 'Aria Collection'

  ➀ Lotte Chemical unveiled its 2025 premium artificial marble 'Aria Collection' under the Staron brand, offering nine color variants across three groups (Cream, Deep, Concrete) with seamless jointing and natural patterns for sophisticated interiors;

  ➁ The company initiated domestic launch events since July 2023 targeting key distributors and kitchen brands, with additional seminars planned for August, and is exploring antibacterial features through collaborations with local kitchen brands;

  ➂ The collection will be installed in domestic model houses and has secured overseas orders for September 2023, with plans to expand into US and European markets by 2026, alongside continuous development of premium stone-patterned products.

• LG Electronics Opens 'LG Electronics Flagship D5' in Gangnam... 'Technology, Brand, Vision in One Place'

  ➀ LG Electronics opened its flagship store 'LG Electronics Flagship D5' in Gangnam, Seoul, spanning five floors and approximately 2,700㎡, featuring product experience zones, brand heritage spaces, and immersive media art installations;

  ➁ The store showcases AI-driven home appliances (e.g., AI DD Motor for laundry optimization), transparent OLED displays for digital art, and smart kitchen solutions like SIGNATURE KITCHEN SUITE and Objet Collection;

  ➂ Targeted at premium consumers and tech-savvy 'YG' demographics, the store aims to serve as a global channel to highlight LG's technological innovation and brand values.

• Epson Korea Launches 4K 3LCD Home Projector 'EH-LS9000B'

  ➀ Epson Korea announced the launch of the 4K 3LCD home projector 'EH-LS9000B,' featuring 2200 lumens brightness, 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and enhanced color reproduction;

  ➁ The projector incorporates scene-adaptive gamma correction, auto contrast enhancement, and super-resolution technology, supporting HDR10+ and optimized 4K/120fps gaming with low latency;

  ➂ Equipped with motorized lens shift and patented front exhaust design for flexible installation, offering a 3-year warranty.

• Dr. Namseong Cho and Professor Sanghyun Kim Selected for Merck Award and Young Scientist Award

  ➀ Merck selected Dr. Namseong Cho from ETRI and Professor Sanghyun Kim from KAIST as recipients of its Merck Award and Young Scientist Award at IMID 2025, recognizing their advancements in display technologies.

  ➁ Dr. Cho was honored for leading OLED microdisplay process development for AR/VR applications and collaborative material innovation with Merck, while Prof. Kim pioneered CMOS-based monolithic micro-LED integration, achieving 1700 PPI displays for low-power AR/VR devices.

  ➂ Both awardees emphasized their commitment to advancing South Korea's display industry through continued R&D and industry-academia collaboration.

• House Cook's Water Purification Cooker Expands into Central Asia

  ➀ House Cook’s water purification cooker is making a full-scale entry into Central Asia, following its expansion into the U.S., with a focus on Kazakhstan;

  ➁ During a trade consultation in Kazakhstan, the company received around 50 product inquiries and orders, particularly from local convenience store operators and businesses preparing to launch ramen-themed stores;

  ➂ The expansion aligns with Incheon Metropolitan City’s 2025 Overseas Market Development Program, leveraging the popularity of K-culture and K-food in the region to drive growth.

• LX International Becomes First Korean Company to Receive Official Certification for Overseas Mine Environmental Restoration

  ➀ LX International received the first official certification from the Philippine government for completing environmental restoration at the Lapu-Lapu copper mine, following the 1995 Mining Act revision.

  ➁ Acquired in 2008, the mine underwent restoration from 2018 onward, involving local communities in ecosystem recovery, infrastructure upgrades, and educational initiatives like school construction and scholarships.

  ➂ Recognized as a sustainable development model, LX plans to expand its nickel operations in Indonesia and diversify into copper assets in the Philippines.

• SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won: 'Innovation and Success Require Hands-On Engagement with AI'

  ➀ SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasized that employees must become proficient in AI and digital transformation (DT) to drive innovation and success, urging focus on creative roles as AI agents replace routine tasks;

  ➁ He highlighted the need for robust operational foundations to support AI integration, warning that neglecting core competencies risks future stability;

  ➂ The 2025 Icheon Forum convened global experts like Microsoft's former AI VP and IBM executives, engaging over 2,800 online participants and 170 on-site attendees to discuss AI ecosystem growth and SK's strategic direction.

• Inha University Begins Construction of Semiconductor Education Building: Strengthening Hands-On Training with Advanced Clean Rooms and Labs

  ➀ Inha University commenced construction of a semiconductor education building (1,463㎡, 2 floors) to be completed by early 2026, featuring industry-grade clean rooms and labs;

  ➁ The facility will enable practical training in semiconductor processes, circuit design, and post-processing, bridging academic education with industrial needs;

  ➂ Supported by semiconductor companies including Jusung Engineering, UniTest, and TEL Korea, the project aims to cultivate talent for South Korea’s semiconductor industry growth.

August 21

• Doosan Robotics Establishes Educational Center at University of Maine in the U.S.

  ① Doosan Robotics announced the establishment of an educational center at the University of Maine, focusing on training for robot system operations and practical processes.

  ② The company currently operates centers in South Korea (Bundang, Daejeon, Anyang, Busan) and Texas, USA, and plans to expand its global network of official training facilities.

  ③ Doosan Robotics aims to systematize its curriculum to cultivate robotics experts and strengthen industry-academia collaboration in advanced manufacturing.

• SK On and Ford Begin Operation of Joint Battery Factory in Kentucky, USA

  ➀ SK On and Ford's joint venture BlueOvalSK commenced operations at its Kentucky battery plant, producing initial batteries for Ford's F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck;

  ➁ The plant will also manufacture batteries for Ford's E-Transit electric van and partially shift production to Nissan to counter slowing Ford EV demand;

  ➂ The JV plans $11.4 billion (15.8 trillion KRW) to build three U.S. plants, with Tennessee starting in 2026 and Kentucky's second facility delayed due to market conditions.

• NVIDIA Develops China-Specific AI Semiconductor 'B30A'

  ➀ NVIDIA is developing the 'B30A', a China-specific AI semiconductor based on its Blackwell GPU architecture, with estimated performance at 50% of its flagship B300 but surpassing the previous H20 model;

  ➁ A China-exclusive workstation GPU 'RTX6000D', compliant with U.S. export controls, will launch in September, using GDDR instead of HBM memory;

  ➂ B30A samples may be sent to Chinese clients as early as next month, following Trump's guidelines allowing exports of AI chips with reduced performance (30-50%).

• GaOnChips Strengthens Strategic IP Cooperation with Synopsys

  ➀ GaOnChips expanded its semiconductor design IP agreement with Synopsys to enhance high-performance chip development efficiency and strengthen ultra-fine process design capabilities;

  ➁ The company has participated in Synopsys' User Group (SNUG) event for three consecutive years, leveraging Synopsys' EDA solutions to boost market competitiveness;

  ➂ CEO Jeong Kyu-dong emphasized continuous delivery of trusted design solutions through the strategic partnership with Synopsys.

• Gyeonggi Provincial Council Future Committee Holds 'Mobile Semiconductor Classroom' at Seongil High School in Seongnam… SK Hynix Participates

  ➀ The Gyeonggi Provincial Council's Future Science Cooperation Committee conducted a semiconductor education session for 66 students at Seongil High School, featuring expert lectures on semiconductor fundamentals and industry trends by SK Hynix professionals;

  ➁ The initiative aims to expand collaboration between government, education, and research institutions to cultivate future talent in critical industries like semiconductors and AI;

  ➂ Officials emphasized the importance of semiconductors and AI as future core industries, pledging ongoing support for educational policies to empower youth in these fields.

• Samsung Display Presents AI Research at IMID, Declaring 'AI in Displays'

  ➀ Samsung Display announced 22 AI-focused papers at IMID 2025, with over 30% of its 69 total papers addressing AI and simulation technologies;

  ➁ Key innovations include on-device AI for real-time HD-to-UHD upscaling on display chips (TCON) and AI-driven corrosion prediction models for OLED panels;

  ➂ The company showcased advancements in ultra-high-resolution OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) and won the IMID Display of the Year Award for its foldable OLED panels with improved durability and multitasking features.

• LG Electronics’ Haiphong Production Facility Achieves Top Cybersecurity Certification for Automotive Components

  ➀ LG Electronics’ Vietnamese Haiphong factory secured Level 3 Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) certification from TÜV Rheinland, validating its automotive cybersecurity capabilities;

  ➁ The certification aligns with UNECE R-155 regulations, mandatory for vehicle sales in 56 countries, including the EU, Asia, and Oceania;

  ➂ LG plans to expand CSMS certification to global facilities in Mexico and Poland, reinforcing its leadership in the software-defined vehicle (SDV) era.

• US Aims to Acquire Equity Stakes in Samsung and TSMC in Exchange for Semiconductor Subsidies

  ➀ The Trump administration is reviewing the conversion of semiconductor subsidies into equity stakes for companies like Intel, Samsung, and TSMC under the CHIPS Act. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Rootnik emphasized that taxpayer funds require a return, framing this as an investment rather than a grant;

  ➀ Intel, set to receive $10.9 billion, could see the U.S. government acquire a 10% stake, potentially becoming its largest shareholder. Similar policies may extend to TSMC ($6.6 billion subsidy), Samsung ($4.75 billion), and SK Hynix ($458 million);

  ➂ The policy shift challenges previous agreements, with Rootnik criticizing subsidies for trillion-dollar firms like TSMC, calling the CHIPS Act a "gift to wealthy companies" under Biden’s administration.

• Shinseung E&G Unveils Next-Generation Data Center Cooling Technology for AI and HPC Era

  ➀ Shinseung E&G launched five core cooling solutions for AI/HPC-driven data centers, including integrated AIO systems and immersion cooling, enhancing energy efficiency and space utilization;

  ➁ Immersion Cooling reduces power consumption by up to 80% and CO₂ emissions by 40%, while edge container data centers minimize latency for AI and machine learning workloads;

  ➂ FWU and CRAH/CRAC systems enable precise temperature control, with global certifications boosting reliability and market competitiveness in sustainable infrastructure.

• [Toward Semiconductor Unicorns]<6> OpenEdge, 'From Memory to AI'... Timely Supply of Next-Generation Semiconductor IP

  ➀ OpenEdge Technology, founded in 2017 by a Samsung Electronics veteran, specializes in developing semiconductor IPs for AI and memory systems, offering NPU, memory system IPs, and integrated AI platforms;

  ➁ Its recently developed NPU IP supports tens of trillion operations per second (TOPS) and integrates high-performance memory systems, reducing development costs by up to KRW 100 billion (approx. $76.9 million);

  ➂ Collaborating with global firms like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, OpenEdge aims to become a top-five semiconductor IP provider by 2030.

August 20

• HS Hyosung Awards Scholarships to Outstanding Students in Alabama, U.S.

  ➀ HS Hyosung USA granted scholarships to four outstanding students in Alabama's Huntsville, Madison, and Decatur regions as part of a Liberation Day commemoration event;

  ➁ The scholarships prioritized students facing financial hardships, children of public service workers (e.g., firefighters, police), and descendants of Korean War veterans;

  ➂ Alabama, where HS Hyosung operates, is a key hub for Korean businesses, with the company supplying automotive materials like tire cord and carpets to clients including GM and Goodyear.

• OCI Holdings Sells 100MW Solar Project in Texas, USA

  ➀ OCI Holdings' subsidiary OCI Energy completed the sale of the 100MW "Lucky 7" solar project in Hopkins County, Texas, to Turkish energy firm Savanna Renewables;

  ➁ The project covers 745 acres (~3M m²) and will generate enough electricity for 30,000 households upon its 2027 completion, amid rising power demands from a planned 3GW Matrix data center in the region;

  ➂ OCI plans to expand ESS-linked projects to support Texas' AI data center boom, having already sold 480MW of solar assets in 2025.

• ET Talk: Samsung's Challenges After Securing Tesla's 2nm Chip Foundry Order

  ➀ Samsung Electronics secured a 23 trillion KRW (approx. $170 billion) contract from Tesla to produce 2nm AI6 chips at its Texas plant until 2033, marking a strategic breakthrough against TSMC's dominance in foundry;

  ➁ Challenges remain as Samsung's 2nm GAA process lacks mass production experience - yield stability, schedule adherence, and customization capabilities will determine ultimate success;

  ➂ The deal extends beyond chips to future collaboration in AI servers, robotics, and aerospace, serving as a foothold for U.S. market expansion while requiring Samsung to validate its advanced node manufacturing credibility.

• [Nano Innovation, Designing the Future] (4) CNT Solutions Prepares for All-Solid-State Battery Era with Dry-Dispersed CNT

  ➀ CNT Solutions developed Korea's exclusive dry-dispersion CNT technology, enabling uniform mixing of carbon nanotubes without solvents; this is critical for applications in semiconductors, automotive, defense, and next-gen all-solid-state batteries.

  ➁ The company dominates the domestic semiconductor ESD material market (over 50% share), and collaborates with battery/automotive manufacturers to test dry-dispersed CNT conductive materials for commercialization by 2027.

  ➂ It also mass-produces eco-friendly Carbon Quantum Dots (CQD) at 1 ton/month, achieving 30% improved battery charge/discharge efficiency while reducing production costs to one-tenth of competitors.

• Jusystem Supplies Electrostatic Control Equipment to Chinese Display Company

  ➀ Jusystem announced the supply of 'ionizer' equipment to a Chinese display company to control static electricity in OLED manufacturing, enhancing panel yield;

  ➁ The contract involves around 100 high-vacuum ionizer systems, following a previous 2023 deal, signaling expanded overseas market efforts;

  ➂ The company plans to upgrade the system’s fault prediction capabilities and boost performance for broader adoption.

• AI High-Efficiency Appliances Debut at IFA... LG Targets Europe's 150 Trillion Won Market

  ➀ LG unveiled 25 new AI-driven energy-efficient home appliances, including refrigerators and washer-dryers, at IFA 2025, tailored for Europe’s high energy cost environment.

  ➁ Products feature advanced AI CoreTech to minimize power consumption, space-optimized designs (e.g., Zero Clearance Hinge for compact homes), and user-friendly interfaces. Refrigerators achieved energy efficiency exceeding EU Class A standards.

  ➂ LG aims to dominate Europe’s home appliance market, valued at ~150 trillion KRW (~$110 billion) in 2025, projected to grow at 4.1% annually through 2030.

• KTR Leads International Standards for Greenhouse Gas Resource Utilization

  ➀ KTR proposed a new international standard for CO₂ capture and mineralization, approved by ISO/TC265;

  ➁ The standard introduces ex-situ storage by converting CO₂ into carbonate minerals, reducing costs and enhancing stability;

  ➂ KTR aims to lead global carbon neutrality standards and strengthen Korean companies' competitiveness in green technologies.

• Steel Price Collapses to 700,000 KRW per Ton... Shutdown Fears Loom Again

  ➀ Hyundai Steel and Dongkuk Steel halted production to stabilize prices, but steel prices fell further to 680,000 KRW (~$523 USD) per ton, breaching the 700,000 KRW threshold;

  ➁ The construction industry downturn and excessive market inventories, coupled with increased Japanese steel imports, intensified downward pressure on prices;

  ➂ Both companies are considering additional production shutdowns to avoid losses amid persistently low demand and unresolved inventory issues.

• Nowrobotics Collaborates with Inha University to Develop Humanoid Robot Reducer

  ➀ Nowrobotics partners with Inha University to co-develop a high-precision reducer for humanoid robots, focusing on enhanced durability and integrated drive modules;

  ➁ The collaboration aims to create a next-generation robotic drive platform by combining motors and controllers into a unified system;

  ➂ The project seeks to strengthen core competitiveness in robotic drive technology through advanced减速器 design and performance validation.

• UVify Successfully Conducts Drone Show 'Bridging Past, Present, and Future' for 80th Liberation Anniversary

  ➀ UVify collaborated with South Korea's Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to stage a large-scale drone light show using over 2,000 drones, celebrating the 80th anniversary of national liberation with symbolic imagery of historical figures and national pride;

  ➁ The event highlighted advanced drone technologies, including improved flight stability and precision, and referenced UVify's prior Guinness World Records (5,293 drones in 2024) and plans for a future 6,000-drone show;

  ➂ UVify aims to expand partnerships in North America and Europe, combining technical innovation with artistic storytelling to promote South Korea's technological leadership globally.

August 19

• Applied Materials Reports 'Record Quarterly Revenue'

  ➀ Applied Materials achieved record quarterly revenue of $7.3 billion (KRW 10.12 trillion) in Q2 FY2025, an 8% YoY increase, with net profit rising 4% to $1.78 billion (KRW 2.47 trillion).

  ➁ Growth was driven by increased investments in AI chips from major semiconductor manufacturers.

  ➂ The company forecasts Q3 revenue at $6.7 billion, an 8% QoQ decline, citing fluctuations in Chinese production and advanced process demand, while remaining optimistic about long-term industry growth.

• [Photo] Economic Community Urges Revision of Labor Union Act Amendment

  ➀ South Korea's business community, including the Korea Enterprises Federation, publicly urges lawmakers to revise the proposed Labor Union Act amendment;

  ➀ Son Kyoung-sik, chairman of the federation, emphasized the need to adopt the economic sector's proposals to ensure minimal stability and balance in labor-management relations;

  ➂ The joint statement by six major economic organizations called for legislative adjustments to protect corporate competitiveness while addressing labor rights.