SemiVoice

April 1

• SK Chemical Showcases Sustainable Solutions at Europe's Largest Coating Expo

  ➀ SK Chemical participated in the European Coating Show 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, from the 25th to 27th of March, marking its first participation in a coating and painting exhibition.

  ➁ The company showcased sustainable materials such as Skybon, SkyCHDM, and Ecotrion, emphasizing environmentally friendly and high-performance products.

  ➂ SK Chemical plans to continue tailoring its marketing strategies to highlight the sustainability of its technologies and materials across different regions and industries.

• New Degradation Mechanism of Lithium-ion Batteries Discovered

  ➀ A hidden cause of battery life reduction has been discovered by a research team led by Professor Hong Ji-hyun at POSTECH, in collaboration with researchers from KIST and Professor Kim Jong-soon from Sungkyunkwan University.

  ➁ The team found that a quasi-conversion reaction occurs during battery discharge, causing oxygen from the cathode material to escape and form lithium oxide, which reacts with the electrolyte to produce gas and degrade battery performance.

  ➂ The research, supported by various Korean technology development programs, was published as a cover paper in the journal 'Advanced Energy Materials.'

March 31

• TJ Plus CTO Park Myung-kyun Develops Enclear Non-conductive Liquid Fire Extinguisher

  ➀ TJ Plus CTO Park Myung-kyun has developed 'Enclear', a non-conductive liquid fire extinguisher, which has been certified for both general fire (A) and electrical fire (C). It is capable of handling electrical fires at a safe distance without the risk of electric shock or secondary damage to equipment.

  ➁ The extinguishing agent is non-toxic to humans, has a freezing point of minus 20 degrees, and minimizes damage to electronic devices. It can also prevent thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries by cooling them effectively.

  ➂ The product is already patented in the U.S., China, Japan, and Taiwan, with plans for global market expansion. TJ Plus aims to make the product more affordable through mass production and diversified product lineups.

• Samsung Electronics Hosts 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' Press Conference

  ➀ Samsung Electronics hosted the 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' press conference on March 28th at the F-Factory Studio in Gwangjin District, Seoul.

  ➁ The event featured a new product presentation by Moon Jong-seung, development team leader of Samsung Electronics' DA Division.

  ➂ The conference was attended by journalist Kim Min-soo from ET News.

• Samsung Unveils 2025 Bespoke AI Lineup

  ➀ Samsung Electronics unveiled its 2025 bespoke AI lineup at the 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' event held at the Phi Factory Studio in Seoul on March 28.

  ➁ The event showcased AI-equipped appliances featuring Samsung's bespoke AI technology.

  ➂ The lineup aims to integrate advanced AI capabilities into everyday electronics, highlighting Samsung's commitment to personalizing user experiences.

• Samsung Electronics Welcome To Bespoke AI Q&A

  ➀ Samsung Electronics hosted 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' event on the 28th at the Fi Factory Studio in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

  ➁ Key employees from Samsung participated in a Q&A session.

  ➂ The event was covered by journalist Min-su Kim.

• Samsung Unveils Bespoke AI Product Line

  ➀ Samsung held an event titled 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' on the 28th at the Fi Factory Studio in Seoul, showcasing new AI-equipped appliances.

  ➁ The event featured demonstrations of Samsung's Bespoke AI technology integrated into home appliances.

  ➂ The article includes photos and videos from the event, provided by journalist Min-su Kim.

• Samsung Hosts 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' Event

  ➀ Samsung hosted the 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' event on March 28th at the Pha Factory Studio in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

  ➁ Moon Jong-seung, head of the Development Team at Samsung Electronics DA Division, introduced the new product during the event.

  ➂ The article is written by journalist Kim Min-soo ([email protected]) and includes photos and videos.

• Samsung Electronics Demonstrates Bespoke AI

  ➀ Samsung Electronics hosted 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' event on the 28th at the Phae Factory Studio in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

  ➁ The event featured a demonstration of Samsung's Bespoke AI-equipped appliances.

  ➂ The article includes photos and videos of the event.

• Samsung Hosts 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' Event

  ➀ Samsung Electronics hosted the 'Welcome To Bespoke AI' event on March 28th at the Pie Factory Studio in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

  ➁ Moon Jong-seung, head of the Development Team at Samsung Electronics DA Division, introduced the new product during the event.

  ➂ The article is accompanied by photos and videos of the event.

March 30

• LG Electronics Supplies 'ThinQ On' to B2B Customers for the First Time

  ➀ LG Electronics has begun supplying its AI home hub device, 'ThinQ On,' to B2B customers for the first time, following its unveiling at IFA 2024 in Berlin last September.

  ➁ The device optimizes the connection and control of home appliances and IoT devices, utilizing generative AI to engage in natural conversations and understand context. For example, it can adjust the air conditioner temperature based on a statement like 'It feels a bit hot in here.'

  ➂ LG Electronics plans to expand the functionality and customer experience for enterprise clients and aims to start selling the device to general consumers in the first half of the year through online malls. Additionally, the company will introduce the 'ThinQ Play' service page in the LG ThinQ app and integrate IoT ecosystem services like smart home platforms and music streaming.

• Kyungdong Nabien Strategizes to Conquer Kitchen Appliance Market with Nabien Magic

  ➀ Kyungdong Nabien is strategizing to conquer the kitchen appliance market with its new 'Nabien Magic' brand, focusing on differentiated indoor air quality management services by linking ventilation systems with kitchen appliances.

  ➁ The company has increased its production capacity for gas ranges, electric ranges, and electric ovens following the acquisition of SK Magic. It aims to expand its annual production to 760,000 units.

  ➂ Kyungdong Nabien plans to strengthen consumer touchpoints through diversified distribution channels and aims to increase its domestic sales to 1 trillion KRW (approximately $750 million USD) by 2028, with 300 billion KRW (approximately $225 million USD) from its living environment business.

• Intel CEO Lipbu Tan to Present Vision for a 'New Intel' on March 31

  ➀ Intel CEO Lipbu Tan is set to unveil a new vision for the company at the 'Intel Vision' conference in Las Vegas on March 31.

  ➁ The conference, running until April 1, is aimed at exploring innovation opportunities in the computing field and emphasizing industry collaboration for global customers and partners.

  ➂ The event marks Tan's debut as the newly appointed CEO, with expectations focused on his strategic plan to overcome the company's challenges and revitalize its future. Tan aims to transform the corporate culture to be more customer-centric and to enhance shareholder value.

• Korea Economic Association delivers 500 million won to wildfire victims

  ➀ The Korea Economic Association has donated 500 million won to the Korean Red Cross for the emergency support of wildfire victims' families and displaced people.

  ➁ The association has also requested its member companies to actively participate in the disaster recovery efforts.

  ➂ Various major companies in electronics, IT, distribution, and finance have also come forward to support rapid recovery efforts, offering services such as Wi-Fi for temporary shelters, clothing and blanket provisions, emergency living funds, free repair of damaged home appliances, and more.

• S-OIL Installs 118m Propylene Separation Tower at Project Site

  ➀ S-OIL has completed the installation of South Korea's largest propylene separation tower, which stands at 118 meters tall, 8.5 meters in diameter, and weighs 2,370 tons. The tower was moved to the site and vertically installed using TLS on March 22.

  ➁ The Shahin project, located in the Onsan National Industrial Complex, involves the construction of steam cracker facilities, TC2C facilities, ethylene production facilities, and polymer production plants.

  ➂ Upon completion, S-OIL plans to produce base oils such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene, and benzene, and further manufacture high-value polymer products like polyethylene. CEO Anwar Al Hijazai mentioned that the project aims for mechanical completion by mid-next year and emphasized commitment to ESG management.

• Hanwha Ocean Prepares for Orca Project Bid, Strengthens Cooperation with Polish Shipyards

  ➀ Hanwha Ocean is actively pursuing the 8 trillion KRW Orca Project to supply three submarines to the Polish Navy, and is engaging in activities in Poland to secure the contract.

  ➁ Hanwha Ocean visited Polish shipyards, including Remontova and Nauta, to discuss collaboration on shipbuilding, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, as well as diversification and eco-friendly technologies.

  ➂ The company aims to strengthen cooperation between South Korea and Poland in economic, industrial, and naval development fields, with Polish shipyard executives expressing optimism and a desire for long-term strategic partnerships.

• LG Electronics and Patent Office Collaborate to Improve Appliance Accessibility

  ➀ LG Electronics has partnered with the Patent Office to improve accessibility of home appliances, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 28th at the LG Twin Tower in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

  ➁ The collaboration will utilize the Korea Invention Promotion Association's idea platform 'Idearo' to discover new ideas for enhancing appliance accessibility. They also aim to raise social awareness on improving accessibility for people with disabilities.

  ➂ An idea competition will be held, inviting teams or individuals to submit ideas for improving appliance accessibility by the end of next month. LG Electronics plans to purchase adopted ideas and explore their feasibility for actual product and service applications, with support from the 'Bold Move' community.

• Jeonbuk Autonomous District and Iri Gobel High School to convert to Meister High School for secondary battery industry talent training

  ➀ Jeonbuk Autonomous District plans to designate Iri Gobel High School as a Meister High School to cultivate talent for the secondary battery industry.

  ➁ The district has signed a business agreement last July to promote the conversion and recently held a meeting to discuss cooperation plans for the transformation.

  ➂ The Meister High School will focus on developing specialized education programs tailored to the secondary battery industry, with infrastructure, R&D support, and talent cultivation policies being established around the Saenmanjin Secondary Battery Specialization District.

March 29

• Kemetronics unveils new CI for its subsidiary JSR

  ➀ Kemetronics has acquired JSR, a specialist in semiconductor wafer recycling, and unveiled a new corporate identity (CI), emphasizing innovative identity and leadership in the wafer industry.

  ➁ JSR is capable of recycling 6, 8, and 12-inch semiconductor wafers, utilizing both chemical and physical recycling processes. The company collaborates with major vendors such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, leveraging its precision planarization and ultrafine particle control technologies.

  ➂ Kemetronics anticipates synergies from the acquisition, particularly due to JSR's infrastructure, including planarization technology for glass substrate development, non-hazardous use approval area factory, wastewater treatment facilities, and chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) equipment. The company plans to focus on developing glass substrate technology by integrating high-purity semiconductor material technology and through-glass via (TGV) process technology with JSR's precision planarization technology.

• Toprun Secures Full Order of 12.88-inch Backlight for Hyundai Kia Vehicles

  ➀ Toprun Total Solution has secured a full order for 12.88-inch display backlights to be used in Hyundai Kia vehicles.

  ➁ The company has signed a 34.1 billion KRW supply contract with Tobis for automotive display backlights, following a previous 37.8 billion KRW contract with LG Display for the same project.

  ➂ The backlights will be supplied from 2026 to 2032, produced at Toprun's Vietnam manufacturing subsidiary (TRVH), featuring high resolution, high brightness, low power consumption, and high durability.

• Dongkuk Steel and Dongkuk CM Finalize 2025 Wage Negotiations

  ➀ Dongkuk Steel and Dongkuk CM, both part of the Dongkuk Steel Group, have finalized their 2025 wage agreements. The signing ceremonies took place at their respective factories in Incheon and Busan.

  ➁ Dongkuk Steel finalized their agreement on the 27th at the Incheon factory, while Dongkuk CM did so on the 25th at the Busan factory, making them the first major steel companies to conclude wage negotiations for 2025.

  ➂ Dongkuk Steel President Cho Sam-young emphasized the importance of mutual trust between labor and management, highlighting it as Dongkuk Steel's core competitiveness. Dongkuk CM President Park Sang-hoon noted the significance of achieving a smooth negotiation amidst internal and external uncertainties.

• POSCO Group Chairman Emphasizes Leap to Top-Tier Company through Breakthrough Technology

  ➀ POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa emphasized the need to leap into a top-tier company through breakthrough technology at a group technology strategy meeting held at the POSCO Center in Seoul on the 27th. The meeting focused on technical strategies for steel, energy materials, and next-generation core materials, and discussed methods for successful strategic execution.

  ➁ Chairman Jang stressed the importance of achieving absolute technological superiority and building a 'Corporate R&D' system to maximize R&D effectiveness. He also highlighted the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize efficiency.

  ➂ In the steel field, POSCO Group plans to enhance the production technology of high value-added products and develop innovative products to lead future markets. In the energy materials sector, the company aims to stabilize recently commenced secondary battery material processes and reduce costs while accelerating the development of next-generation battery materials.

• Wolfspeed Appoints Robert Feurle as New CEO

  ➀ Wolfspeed has appointed Robert Feurle, former executive vice president of ams-OSRAM AG's optical transceiver unit, as its new CEO, effective May 1.

  ➁ Thomas Bauer, the previous CEO, will return to his role as chairman of the board.

  ➂ Feurle, a veteran with over 20 years in the semiconductor industry, aims to revitalize the company's operations and improve financial performance amid a slowdown in the electric vehicle market and after aggressive investments.

• HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Accelerates Maritime Decarbonization with MIT

  ➀ HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has established the 'MIT Maritime Consortium' with MIT to accelerate maritime decarbonization.

  ➁ The consortium, led by MIT's Department of Ocean Engineering and Schwarzman College of Computing, aims to innovate technology and promote decarbonization in the maritime industry.

  ➂ HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to validate AI-based autonomous navigation solutions, develop small modular reactor (SMR) powered ships, and establish credible fuel-saving validation systems with MIT researchers.

• Hyosung Donates 300 Million Won for Wildfire Recovery

  ➀ Hyosung, along with its subsidiaries Hyosung TNC, Hyosung Heavy Industries, and Hyosung Chemical, has donated 300 million KRW to the Korean Red Cross for wildfire recovery.

  ➁ The donation will be used to support wildfire victims and aid operations.

  ➂ Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon expressed his condolences to those affected and hopes for a swift recovery of the disaster areas.

• LG Energy Solution's KooRoo Provides Free Electric Bicycle Inspections for Delivery Riders

  ➀ LG Energy Solution's independent entity 'KooRoo' conducted free inspections of electric bicycles for delivery riders in Seoul's Gwanak District on the 27th.

  ➁ KooRoo, a company promoting Battery Switching Station (BSS) projects, inspected around 50 bicycles.

  ➂ The company plans to hold annual offline events in major metropolitan areas including Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Daejeon, and Gwangju, beyond the Seoul metropolitan area.

• LG Chem Participates in Tennessee Manufacturing Forum... "Federal Government Support Needed"

  ➀ LG Chem is participating in the Tennessee Manufacturing Forum to discuss necessary support and cooperation measures for the development of advanced industries in the U.S.

  ➁ The forum, themed 'Growth of Tennessee Manufacturing,' brings together stakeholders from businesses, government, and academia to discuss growth policies and the role of government in boosting Tennessee's manufacturing sector.

  ➂ LG Chem emphasizes the importance of foreign investment incentives and policy support from the federal government to strengthen the supply chain for battery materials and other advanced industries in the U.S.

March 28

• Samsung, SK Hynix, and DB HiTech to Enhance Public Fab Platform

  ➀ Samsung, SK Hynix, and DB HiTech are teaming up with the government to enhance the public fab platform 'MoaFab' by providing experienced personnel and equipment.

  ➁ The collaboration aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor industry amidst the global semiconductor dominance competition in the AI era.

  ➂ The three companies will support 12-inch advanced process equipment and idle devices, offer consulting on semiconductor technology and fab operations, and help cultivate top talent for future employment in the industry.

• Corning Releases Shatter-Resistant 'Gorilla Glass Ceramic'

  ➀ Corning has released 'Gorilla Glass Ceramic', a new product designed to enhance durability for smartphones and mobile devices.

  ➁ The key feature is its improved drop resistance, capable of withstanding falls onto rough surfaces without shattering.

  ➂ Internal tests showed no damage after 10 consecutive drops from a height of 1 meter onto a simulated asphalt surface, with plans to launch in Motorola devices in the coming months.

• HD Hyundai Holds Regular Shareholders' Meeting… Chairman Kwon Oh-gap Emphasizes Continued Innovation and Future Preparation

  ➀ HD Hyundai held its 8th regular shareholders' meeting, approving various agendas including financial statements and director appointments.

  ➁ Attorney Lee Ji-soo from Kim & Chang Law Firm was reappointed as external director and audit committee member.

  ➂ The company reported consolidated sales of 67.7656 trillion KRW and an operating profit of 2.9832 trillion KRW for the previous year, and decided to pay a final dividend of 900 KRW per share, totaling 3600 KRW per share annually including quarterly dividends. Chairman Kwon Oh-gap emphasized continuous technological innovation to create new value and prepare for the future, aiming to build a solid foundation for long-term growth.