SemiVoice

July 22

• OCI Enters High-Value Semiconductor Material 'Pitch' Business

  ➀ OCI has begun supplying pitch, a key raw material for isotropic artificial graphite, to Ibiden Graphite Korea, facilitating domestic production of this critical semiconductor and defense industry material previously reliant on imports;

  ➁ As a global leader in liquid pitch production (520,000 tons annually), OCI expects increased demand in the $3 billion (4.2 trillion KRW) global market, leveraging existing facilities to scale production without new investments;

  ➂ The company plans to diversify into defense, nuclear energy, and advanced industries while expanding its high-value materials portfolio for long-term growth.

• LG Electronics and Korea Energy Agency's '26℃ Air Conditioner Campaign: 26℃ is Sufficient'

  ➀ LG Electronics and the Korea Energy Agency are collaborating on the 'ThinQ 26℃ Challenge' campaign, encouraging users to set air conditioners to 26℃ for energy savings, running until September 30;

  ➁ Last year's campaign attracted over 50,000 participants, saving approximately 1.05 million kWh of energy—enough to power 3,400 urban households for a month;

  ➂ Participants can win prizes like LG Gram laptops, and LG provides energy-saving tips, such as using 'Ice Cool Power' mode and auto-switching sensors to reduce electricity costs by up to 76%.

• SK Innovation Launches 'Children's Book Dream Project' for Rural Children

  ➀ SK Innovation is conducting the 'Children's Book Dream Project' until August 31, 2025, inviting public participation to donate books for rural community centers;

  ➁ The project collaborates with Kyobo Book Centre and Save the Children, offering an online/offline platform for users to select books from a curated list of 100 titles, with Kyobo matching donations;

  ➂ Since 2024, SK Innovation has donated 8,000 books to 15 centers, expanded to 25 centers in 2025, and signed an MOU to enhance educational support through cultural programs.

• Dongwoon Anatech Signs Development Agreement with UCLA for Saliva-Based Cancer Diagnosis

  ➀ Dongwoon Anatech partners with UCLA to co-develop a non-invasive saliva-based diagnostic platform for cancers (e.g., lung, gastric, oral) and autoimmune diseases, combining UCLA's EFIRM technology with its semiconductor expertise;

  ➁ The company will provide annual funding of $800,000 (approx. 11.13 billion KRW) for three years to the UCLA research team, with potential extensions;

  ➂ Plans include advancing its blood glucose monitoring system "D-SaLife" through U.S. FDA validation using UCLA's multi-ethnic saliva samples for global regulatory approvals.

• Roborock Hosts Brand Day with Doosan Bears Professional Baseball Team

  ➀ Roborock will host a Brand Day event with the Doosan Bears at Seoul's Jamsil Baseball Stadium on July 22, featuring an on-site experience zone for its smart cleaning appliances, including the flagship robot vacuum S9 MaxV series and the Saros Z70 with a 5-axis folding robotic arm;

  ➀ The event includes interactive programs like photo zones, mini-games, and giveaways, along with a ceremonial first pitch by a fan recruited via Instagram;

  ➂ The initiative aims to expand offline engagement and showcase Roborock's vision for a smart, hygienic lifestyle.

• Hurom Launches Table Blender…“From Beverages to Cooking, All Possible”

  ➀ Hurom launches a modular table blender with three interchangeable containers for blending, chopping, and grinding, suitable for beverages and cooking;

  ➁ Equipped with a 1000W high-torque motor (22,000 RPM), 1.5L Tritan container, and safety features like overheating prevention;

  ➂ Pre-sale on Coupang from July 22-28 offers a 50% discount, priced at 99,000 KRW (~$71) down from 199,000 KRW (~$142)

July 21

• Wonik QNC Postpones US Stock Market Listing of Subsidiary MT Holdings

  ➀ Wonik QnC delays the US IPO of its subsidiary MT Holdings by up to two years, extending the qualified listing deadline to May 15, 2027, as per an amended agreement with SJL Partners;

  ➁ MT Holdings, acquired in 2019, reported a 27.3% YoY decline in operating profit to 43.1 billion KRW (~$33.15 million) in 2024 due to semiconductor market slowdown;

  ➂ SJL Partners, a financial investor, opted to extend its put option deadline to prioritize higher valuation through a Nasdaq/NYSE listing over immediate divestment.

• LG Electronics Secures 'Perceptive AI' Patent for Simultaneous Facial Expression and Voice Analysis

  ➀ LG Electronics acquired a U.S. patent for a lightweight AI emotion recognition system (LTER) that analyzes facial expressions and vocal tones simultaneously using cross-attention mechanisms;

  ➁ The technology overcomes limitations of traditional late fusion methods by integrating real-time voice data during visual analysis, enabling detection of nuanced emotions like sarcasm;

  ➂ While not yet implemented in products, the R&D aims to enhance empathetic AI for applications such as driver monitoring and smart devices.

• After Ferrari, Maybach Next... Samsung OLED Proves Competitiveness

  ➀ Samsung Display will supply a groundbreaking 48-inch Pillar-to-Pillar OLED display to Mercedes-Benz, marking the world's first automotive application of this panoramic dashboard technology;

  ➁ The project highlights Samsung's technical prowess in overcoming challenges like curved screens, durability under extreme conditions, and mass production complexity, solidifying its position in the automotive display market;

  ➂ This deal accelerates the OLED transition in the $12.5B (2024) automotive display sector, following Ferrari's adoption, with premium vehicles leading adoption before potential mainstream expansion.

• Air Conditioner Sales Surge Amid Extreme Heat and High Humidity

  ➀ Record-breaking heatwaves and high humidity have driven a sharp increase in demand for cooling products;

  ➁ Air conditioner sales surged 2-3 times year-on-year in early-mid July, while fan sales rose over 1.5 times;

  ➂ Government refund programs for first-class appliances further boosted purchasing enthusiasm.

• [Photo] Surge in Air Conditioner Sales Due to Heatwave

  ➀ Record-breaking heatwaves and increased use of a government refund program for first-tier electronics have driven soaring demand for cooling appliances;

  ➁ Mid-July sales of air conditioners at electronics stores surged 2–3 times year-over-year, while fan sales rose over 1.5 times;

  ➂ Retailers like Yongseong Electronics Land in Seoul reported crowded showrooms as consumers sought cooling solutions amid extreme temperatures.

• Samsung Display Secures Deal with Mercedes-Benz to Supply OLED for Maybach Vehicles

  ➀ Samsung Display will supply 48-inch Pillar-to-Pillar flexible OLED displays to Mercedes-Benz's Maybach S-Class starting in 2028;

  ➁ This marks Samsung's first collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, expanding its automotive display business beyond mobile devices;

  ➂ The deal accelerates the shift from LCD to OLED in automotive displays, challenging LG Display's previous dominance in supplying Mercedes.

• [Photo] 'Can't Live Without Air Conditioning' in the Heatwave

  ➀ Demand for cooling appliances like air conditioners and fans surged due to record-breaking heatwaves in South Korea;

  ➁ Sales of air conditioners increased 2-3 times year-on-year in early-mid July, with fan sales up 1.5 times, driven by a refund system for energy-efficient electronics;

  ➂ A photo captures customers exploring air conditioners at Seoul's Yongsan Electronics Land during the peak sales period.

• EZ Group Supplies '90% Energy-Saving Signage' to Shinhan Bank for the First Time

  ➀ EZ Group has supplied its self-developed 'G-Sign' ultra-low power solar signage to Shinhan Bank, marking the first implementation in the banking sector;

  ➁ The G-Sign utilizes patented optical film technology to achieve the same brightness as traditional LED signs with 90% less energy consumption, powered by rooftop solar panels and grid electricity;

  ➂ Shinhan Bank plans to expand G-Sign installations to 10 additional branches in 2025, aligning with its 2040 RE100 goals, following a two-year technical validation period since 2023.

• Korea Economic Association: U.S. OBBBA to Reduce Hyundai's EV Sales by KRW 2.7 Trillion

  ➀ Hyundai Motor Group's U.S. EV sales may decline by 45,000 units annually, leading to a revenue loss of $1.955 billion (KRW 2.72 trillion), due to the termination of tax credits under the U.S. OBBBA law;

  ➁ The EV purchase tax credit, originally set to expire in 2032, ends in September 2025—seven years early—jeopardizing profitability for Korean battery makers, 72% of whose U.S. production relies on automotive JVs;

  ➂ The Korea Economic Association urges swift implementation of a KRW 50 trillion (approximately $36.5 billion) government fund and tax credit liquidity measures to mitigate losses.

• Nagwol Offshore Wind Power Sponsors '2025 Seoul Philharmonic Happy Concert, Together!' for Third Consecutive Year

  ➀ Nagwol Blue Heart, the entity behind the Nagwol Offshore Wind Project, continued its three-year sponsorship of the '2025 Happy Concert, Together!', a social initiative by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra featuring performances by students with disabilities alongside professional musicians.

  ➁ The concert series, part of the 'Walking with the Underprivileged' project since 2017, offered customized music lessons and ensemble opportunities, with 16 musicians performing in July and an additional show planned for October 2025.

  ➂ Nagwol Blue Heart and its major shareholder B.Grimm Power expanded their CSR efforts across cultural, sports, and disaster relief sectors, while the offshore wind project (50% complete) aims for completion in June 2026, pledging to reinvest profits into societal initiatives.

July 20

• LG Electronics Spreads 'Life's Good' Value Through Employee Voices... CEO Jo Joo-wan Appears as Radio DJ

  ❶ LG Electronics conducted the "Life's Good ON AIR" event across 11 domestic sites, using employee stories and music in a radio DJ format to internalize brand values.

  ❷ CEO Jo Joo-wan participated as a DJ, highlighting the design innovation of the "Wash Tower" as a customer-centric example of the brand’s philosophy.

  ❸ The month-long event engaged 15,000 employees, with top executives sharing brand messages to emphasize empathy and practical solutions for improving customer lives.

• Chairman Choi Tae-won: 'South Korea and Japan Must Collaborate to Secure AI Competitiveness'

  ➀ Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the necessity of South Korea-Japan cooperation in data sharing and creating an economic community akin to the EU to enhance AI competitiveness;

  ➁ He warned that South Korea's manufacturing sector faces extinction within a decade without AI-driven innovation and highlighted the urgency to counter China's rapid AI advancements;

  ➂ Proposed scaling AI startups to 20,000 and training 100,000+ AI engineers, while urging government support for clean energy policies (e.g., RE100) and balanced corporate incentives for decarbonization efforts.

• Korea Business Council Urges Strengthening 'Tax Benefits' for High-Tech Industry Growth

  ➀ The Korea Business Council proposed enhanced tax incentives to boost competitiveness in semiconductors, AI, and new industries amid concerns over low economic growth;

  ➁ Recommendations include introducing tax credit refunds, extending temporary investment tax credits, reducing corporate minimum tax rates, and reforming inheritance/gift taxes to align with global standards;

  ➂ Emphasized the need for capital market reforms and shareholder-friendly policies to address the 'Korea Discount' and sustain corporate vitality.

• LG Electronics Provides Disaster Recovery Support to Areas Affected by Heavy Rains

  ➀ LG Electronics established free appliance inspection and repair service centers in flood-damaged areas such as Asan and Yesan, offering support regardless of product brand;

  ➀ Service managers conduct on-site and door-to-door assistance, deploying specialized vehicles for rapid cleaning and repairs;

  ➂ Affected customers can access services via LG's customer center or local service centers, with plans to expand operations if damage escalates, continuing annual disaster response initiatives.

• S-Oil Hosts 'Rich Concert Season 2' Cultural Arts Charity Performance

  ➀ S-Oil announced a free charity concert 'Rich Concert Season 2' on July 23 at its Mapo-gu office, featuring comedian Jang Yong and 1980s singer Lim Byung-soo performing nostalgic hits;

  ➁ The talk-style event is part of S-Oil's monthly 'Culture Day' initiative, offering free performances to the local community on the last Wednesday of each month;

  ➂ The company continues its social contribution efforts through cultural programs, strengthening ties with residents.

• Samsung Electronics Service Launches 'Flood Recovery Special Inspection Service'

  ➀ Samsung Electronics Service dispatched a special flood recovery team to regions hit by heavy rains, including Chungcheongnam-do (Yesan-gun and Asan-si), to provide free cleaning and inspection services for water-damaged appliances;

  ➁ Mobile service centers and equipment-equipped buses were deployed to clean, dry, and inspect flooded smartphones and household electronics;

  ➂ Engineers are conducting on-site visits to affected households in Gwangju and other areas, with additional support available through customer service requests.

• Japan's Rapidus Develops 2nm Process Wafer Prototype

  ➀ Rapidus developed 2nm wafer prototypes using Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistors and EUV lithography, targeting mass production by 2027;

  ➁ Faces challenges in stabilizing quality to compete with TSMC’s planned 2nm production in late 2024, highlighting its limited technical accumulation;

  ➂ Funding gap remains critical, requiring ~¥5 trillion (₩46.8 trillion, ~$36 billion) with only ¥1.7225 trillion (₩16.1 trillion, ~$12.4 billion) secured.

July 19

• Synopsys Completes Acquisition of Ansys

  ➀ Synopsys finalized its $35 billion acquisition of Ansys, a leader in simulation software, after 1.5 years of regulatory scrutiny;

  ➁ The merger combines Synopsys' semiconductor EDA tools with Ansys' system simulation solutions to strengthen innovation across silicon and system design;

  ➂ Despite delays in China due to U.S.-China tensions, the deal gained conditional approval from global regulators, including China, amid recent diplomatic easing.

• HOLORAP-QUMIS Consortium Selected for 'Hologram Technology Commercialization Support Project'

  ➀ HOLORAP and QUMIS formed a consortium to develop an AI-powered holographic HUD system for vehicle safety, funded by a government project aimed at commercializing hologram technology;

  ➁ The project focuses on 4K-resolution holographic displays and AI-based object recognition for school vehicles, with plans to expand to industrial and public transport applications;

  ➂ It aims to enhance driver safety, meet growing HUD market demand, and collaborate with municipalities and enterprises for large-scale production and certification.

• Daejin Advanced Materials Opens CNT Joint Research Institute for Batteries at Gachon University

  ➀ Daejin Advanced Materials established a joint research institute with Gachon University to develop carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion technology for next-generation battery conductive materials;

  ➁ The company will install specialized CNT dispersion equipment to address aggregation challenges, enhancing battery performance in electric conductivity and thermal stability;

  ➂ Collaborating with Prof. Shin Young-jun, former CTO of LG Energy Solution, to lead R&D in next-gen battery technologies including lithium-sulfur and solid-state batteries.

• Integris Korea Delivers Development Funds to Hanyang University ERICA

  ➀ Integris Korea donated development funds to Hanyang University ERICA to enhance practical education and industry-academia collaboration, particularly in semiconductor process R&D;

  ➁ The funds will support joint research at the newly established Korea Technology Center (KTC), focusing on advanced semiconductor processes like CMP, deposition materials, and wet chemicals;

  ➂ The partnership aims to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem and foster regional innovation through academic-industry synergy.

• Semifive Applies for KOSDAQ Listing Preliminary Review

  ➀ Semifive, a South Korean ASIC design firm and Samsung Foundry's Design Solution Partner (DSP), has filed for a preliminary KOSDAQ listing review, aiming to go public by year-end with Samsung Securities and UBS as underwriters;

  ➁ The company specializes in automated SoC design platforms for high-performance computing (HPC) chips, reporting 2023 revenue of 111.8 billion KRW (approximately $86 million*);

  ➂ CEO Myung-Hyun Cho emphasized plans to drive innovation in next-generation ASIC markets through its foundry collaboration model.

• Choi Tae-won Calls for Lower Electricity Rates to Boost AI Development

  ➀ SK Chairman Choi Tae-won highlighted the necessity of reducing electricity costs for AI development, noting that 85% of SK's data center expenses in Gasan-dong are attributed to electricity fees;

  ➁ Proposed a tiered electricity pricing system based on proximity to power plants, with lower rates for nearby regions and higher rates for distant areas like Seoul, to address energy challenges;

  ➂ Advocated for establishing AI design houses to tailor solutions for industries and prioritizing international talent recruitment to mitigate brain drain and enhance Korea's AI competitiveness.

• Integris Establishes KTC at Hanyang University ERICA Campus in Ansan... Driving Domestic Semiconductor Innovation

  ➀ Integris inaugurated the Korea Technology Center (KTC) at Hanyang University ERICA Campus, equipped with advanced facilities like Class 10 cleanrooms and R&D labs to support semiconductor manufacturing processes such as CMP and wet chemical solutions;

  ➁ The center will strengthen industry-academia collaboration, offering STEM scholarships and fostering talent development, while expanding its infrastructure across existing facilities in Hwaseong, Wonju, and Pyeongtaek;

  ➂ KTC emphasizes sustainable operations with eco-friendly designs, wastewater recycling, and renewable energy to align with ESG goals and drive innovation in the domestic semiconductor ecosystem.