SemiVoice

June 25

• SK Chemicals Supplies Recycled Material 'SKYPET CR' to European Automotive Mat Manufacturer

  ➀ SK Chemicals has entered an exclusive partnership with Austrian automotive carpet manufacturer DuMont and logistics partner Phararang to supply its chemically recycled PET material, SKYPET CR, for car mats;

  ➁ SKYPET CR, produced through molecular-level chemical recycling, maintains high-quality performance even after repeated recycling, supporting a closed-loop system for automotive components;

  ➂ The collaboration aligns with EU sustainability regulations like ELV (End-of-Life Vehicles), addressing growing demand for circular economy solutions in the automotive industry.

• Gachon University to Invest 83 Billion Won by 2030 to Build Advanced Cs-Corrected Electron Microscope

  ➀ Gachon University's Bio-Nano Convergence Materials Research Center will invest 83 billion KRW (approx. $63 million USD) by 2030 to establish a state-of-the-art Cs-corrected transmission electron microscope (TEM) for advanced semiconductor research;

  ➁ The equipment enables atomic-level analysis of semiconductor devices, supporting sub-nanometer-scale mapping and operando studies (real-time analysis under operational conditions);

  ➂ Funded by South Korea's Ministry of Education, the project aims to strengthen next-gen semiconductor R&D and foster industry-academia collaboration, involving professors from semiconductor physics, engineering, and electronics disciplines.

• SK Chairman Choi Tae-won Urges, 'Remember Societal Benefits and Become Contributors'

  ➀ SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, also head of the Korean High Education Foundation, emphasized a "gratitude mindset" to overseas scholarship recipients, urging them to recognize societal support and fulfill their responsibility to give back;

  ➁ Established in 1974, the Foundation has supported over 5,000 students globally, including 1,000 Ph.D. graduates, with full tuition and living expenses for five years and no contractual obligations;

  ➂ Under Choi’s leadership since 1998, the Foundation expanded its programs beyond scholarships, fostering creative interdisciplinary leaders through lectures, team projects, and knowledge-sharing initiatives tailored to modern needs.

• Court Dismisses Injunction to Allow Voting Rights... Koryo Zinc Says 'Hostile M&A Lost Grounds', Young Poong 'Difficult to Agree'

  ➀ A Seoul court dismissed Young Poong and MBK Partners' injunction to restrict voting rights at Koryo Zinc's shareholder meeting, with Koryo Zinc asserting the ruling validates its anti-takeover measures and weakens the hostile M&A case;

  ➁ Koryo Zinc plans to advance governance reforms and shareholder value initiatives, emphasizing its role as a national strategic industry with core technologies;

  ➂ Young Poong criticized the decision as a distortion of corporate law and vowed to legally challenge Koryo Zinc's management for alleged illegal acts to defend control.

• Yuil Robotics Relocates Headquarters to Cheongna… 'Establishes Mass Production System'

  ➀ Yuil Robotics announced the relocation of its headquarters from Incheon's Namdong Industrial Complex to Cheongna International City's high-tech industrial zone, completing procedures with approval from Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority;

  ➁ The new 26,400㎡ (8,000 pyeong) headquarters, built from February 2023 to April 2024, aims to establish mass production systems for multi-joint and collaborative robots, with production capacity expected to increase tenfold;

  ➂ CEO Kim Dong-heon emphasized the company's vision to evolve into a technology community enhancing human well-being and pledged further growth following the relocation.

June 23

• RFHIC Advances Development of 6G-based Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communication System

  ➀ RFHIC joins ETRI-led 3GPP 6G standardization project (budget: $246 million) to develop core technologies for LEO satellite-ground communication systems;

  ➁ Focuses on localizing GaN-based RF components and MMICs, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive foreign parts;

  ➂ Targets global 6G coverage by complementing 5G dead zones through LEO satellites in 500-2,000km orbits

• Lenovo Korea Launches 10th Gen 'Legion' Lineup with Latest Intel and AMD Processors

  ➀ Lenovo Korea unveiled its 10th generation Legion gaming lineup, featuring Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and AMD Ryzen 7 260 processors, alongside NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060/5070 Ti GPUs for enhanced performance;

  ➁ Key models include the Legion Pro 5i, Legion 7i, and Legion Tower 5 with WQXGA OLED displays, 144Hz/500-nit brightness, Dolby Vision support, and Legion ColdFront cooling systems for stability during high-load gaming;

  ➂ AI-optimized software, Legion Spectrum RGB customization, and tool-free transparent side panels for easy upgrades highlight the user-centric design of the new series.

• Hanwha Systems and Northrop Grumman Collaborate to Target Global Integrated Air Defense System Market

  ➀ Hanwha Systems signed an MOU with Northrop Grumman to jointly develop integrated air defense system technologies and explore global business opportunities;

  ➁ The collaboration leverages Northrop Grumman's IBCS (Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System) to integrate multi-domain sensors and weapons, enhancing real-time threat interception capabilities;

  ➂ Hanwha Systems contributes its expertise in Korea's C4I-based missile defense command systems and radar technologies, aiming to strengthen next-generation defense solutions in the global market.

• SKC Absolics Pursues Investment from Applied Materials to Secure Operating Funds

  ➀ SKC Absolics, a subsidiary of SKC specializing in semiconductor glass substrates, is seeking additional investment from Applied Materials to fund R&D, hiring, and equipment for next-gen glass substrate commercialization;

  ➁ Applied Materials, a major shareholder (29.95%) since its 2023 investment of 51 billion KRW (~$39.2 million), aims to expand advanced packaging and supply lithography tools, reinforcing its leadership in glass substrate technology;

  ➂ Absolics, having secured a $50 million loan and $40 million in U.S. subsidies (with $35 million pending), plans to utilize the new funds to accelerate commercialization efforts amid financial challenges.

June 22

• HD Hyundai Partners with U.S. Shipbuilder for Merchant Ship Construction... Accelerating Local Expansion

  ➀ HD Hyundai signs strategic partnership with U.S. shipbuilder Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to jointly build LNG-fueled medium-sized container ships by 2028, with HD providing design expertise, equipment procurement, and technical support;

  ➁ The collaboration aims to strengthen U.S. shipbuilding competitiveness and security, with plans to expand into port cranes and diversify vessel types;

  ➂ HD Hyundai continues U.S. partnerships, including defense agreements with Huntington Ingalls/Fairbanks Morse Defense and academic alliances for maritime talent development.

• EcoPro CEO Song Ho-joon: 'Increased Cathode Material Volume in Europe... Escaping Deficit This Year'

  ➀ EcoPro Group CEO Song Ho-joon emphasized overcoming losses through customer diversification and product competitiveness, highlighting a shift from a Q4 2023 operating loss of KRW 293 billion (~$225 million) to profit in Q1 2024;

  ➁ Plans include expanding cathode material shipments to Europe’s growing EV market, vertical integration in Indonesia (nickel mining to recycling), and diversifying portfolios beyond secondary batteries;

  ➂ Subsidiaries like EcoPro BM aim to enhance cost competitiveness with varied cathode materials (high/mid-nickel, LMR) and improve overseas operational efficiency, particularly at Hungary facilities.

• LG Electronics Supplies Digital Signage to Spain’s Largest Indoor Arena

  ➀ LG Electronics will provide 1,700㎡ of digital signage for Spain’s Lluig Arena (opening September 2025), a multipurpose indoor venue with a 20,000-seat capacity;

  ➁ Installations include an eye-shaped exterior LED screen, central scoreboards, a 76m-long LED display, and ribbon boards. LG’s signage solutions are already used by major Spanish football clubs like Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad;

  ➂ Omdia forecasts the global LED signage market, including sports facilities, to exceed KRW 14 trillion (approx. USD 10.3 billion) by 2029, growing at a 13.4% CAGR.

• LG Energy Solution Holds Talent Recruitment Event in Frankfurt, Germany

  ➀ LG Energy Solution hosted its inaugural Battery Tech Conference in Frankfurt to recruit R&D talent from top European engineering universities, including Imperial College London and Oxford;

  ➁ Key executives, including CEO Kim Dong-myung, presented the company's technological leadership and future business strategies;

  ➂ The event underscores LG's commitment to expanding R&D investments and securing top talent to drive innovation in next-generation battery technologies.

• US Plans to Restrict Import of US-made Semiconductor Equipment to Samsung and SK Hynix's Chinese Factories

  ➀ The U.S. government has notified Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC to revoke their current exemption (under the Verified End User program) that allows unrestricted imports of advanced U.S. semiconductor equipment to their Chinese factories, requiring case-by-case licensing approval instead;

  ➀ This measure, led by the Trump administration, aims to tighten control over semiconductor equipment inflows amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, potentially disrupting operations at Samsung’s NAND plants in Xi’an and SK Hynix’s DRAM facility in Wuxi;

  ➂ While not yet finalized, the policy mirrors China’s rare earth export controls and reflects ongoing efforts to curb technological leakage, though the White House claims it does not signify a broader trade escalation.

• LG Electronics Tops Brand Value Growth at 40.9% Year-on-Year Increase

  ➀ LG Electronics' brand value surged by 40.9% YoY, ranking first among Korea's top 50 brands, with a total valuation of KRW 7.86 trillion (~$6.05 billion);

  ➁ The growth stems from its shift to a 'Smart Life Solution' model, emphasizing customer experiences across mobility, smart homes, and webOS platforms, alongside record annual revenue of KRW 87.73 trillion (~$67.5 billion) in 2024;

  ➂ Non-hardware sectors like subscriptions (KRW 1.67 trillion/~$1.28 billion, up 73.7% YoY) and global marketing campaigns, including social media shorts with influencers, drove its revitalized brand identity.

June 21

• HD Hyundai Oil Bank and Shell Enter the High-Performance Lubricant Base Oil Market in Full Swing

  ➀ HD Hyundai Oil Bank and Shell's joint venture, HD Hyundai Shell Base Oil, announced its entry into the high-performance lubricant base oil (Group 3) market, with commercial production targeted for 2027 following facility expansion;

  ➁ Group 3 lubricant base oils, known for eco-friendliness and high performance, will serve growing global demand in electric vehicles, data center immersion cooling systems, and advanced automotive applications;

  ➂ The JV, established in 2014, has supplied Group 2 base oils to over 50 countries and plans to leverage Shell's technical expertise to strengthen its premium product portfolio.

• Schneider Electric Introduces Software-Defined Automation Strategy at 'PLM/DX Conference 2025'

  ➀ Schneider Electric Korea shared insights on its 'Software-Defined Automation (SDA)' strategy, emphasizing IEC 61499 standards to enhance flexibility and modularity in industrial automation at the 21st PLM/DX Conference;

  ➁ Introduced the 'EAE' platform, an open automation engineering platform enabling application-centric design and breaking OT/IT barriers for agile manufacturing scalability;

  ➂ Highlighted the evolution toward sustainable automation systems to meet rapid industry demands, showcasing real-world applications of digitalized manufacturing ecosystems.

• Play on TV Without a Console: Samsung Launches Popular Football Game 'EA FC 25' Service

  ➀ Samsung announced that the globally popular football game 'EA FC 25' will be available on the Samsung Gaming Hub, a streaming game platform integrated into Samsung TVs and smart monitors;

  ➁ Partnering with Electronic Arts (EA) and Xbox, the service offers a cloud-based version of the game, eliminating the need for a separate console;

  ➂ Samsung Gaming Hub, introduced in 2022, allows users to access games like 'EA FC 25' via Xbox Game Pass directly on compatible devices.

• Lotte Chemical sells water treatment business... accelerates business restructuring

  ➀ Lotte Chemical announced the sale of its water treatment membrane production plant in Daegu to Sinopec Membranes (July 2025), focusing resources on high-value specialty materials;

  ➁ The company raised ~₩1.7 trillion (≈$13.1 billion) through divestments in 2024-2025, including stakes in Pakistan's LCPL (₩97.9B/$753M), Indonesia's LCI (₩650B/$5B), Japan's Rezonac (₩275B/$2.1B), and U.S. LCLA (₩660B/$5.08B);

  ➂ Continues portfolio optimization by liquidating non-core assets (e.g., Malaysia's LUSR synthetic rubber plant) to enhance profitability and competitiveness.

• Cuckoo Donates 300 Air Purifiers to Yangsan Welfare Foundation

  ➀ Cuckoo donated 300 air purifiers, including tower-type models for spaces up to 50㎡, to underprivileged households and social welfare facilities in Yangsan via the Yangsan Welfare Foundation;

  ➁ The company emphasized customized support through its diverse product lines, aiming to improve living conditions for vulnerable groups;

  ➂ Since 2016, Cuckoo has donated appliances worth approximately 820 million KRW (~$630,769) to the foundation and recently provided 950 rice cookers (valued at ~150 million KRW or ~$115,385) to wildfire-affected residents in Gyeongnam.

• Murata Launches World's First Ferrite Bead for Automotive C-V2X Communication (5.9GHz Band) to Improve Noise Reduction

  ➀ Murata introduces the BLM15VM series, the world's first ferrite bead designed for automotive C-V2X communication (5.9GHz), enhancing noise suppression in high-frequency wireless applications like ADAS and autonomous driving;

  ➁ The product broadens impedance frequency bandwidth, improves signal sensitivity for DSRC (5.8GHz) and future Wi-Fi 6E/7 (6GHz), and operates reliably in extreme temperatures (-55℃ to 150℃);

  ➂ Compliant with AEC-Q200 standards, it supports automotive safety systems and will enter mass production in July 2025.

• Hyosung Delivers 50 Million KRW in Encouragement Funds to Army's 1st Corps Gwanggaeto Unit

  ➀ Hyosung donated 50 million KRW (approximately $36,450) to South Korea's Army 1st Corps Gwanggaeto Unit to support the welfare of active-duty soldiers;

  ➁ In 2023, the company provided sports equipment to remote military units to improve soldiers' health;

  ➂ Since 2010, Hyosung has partnered with the unit for annual donations and engaged in patriotic activities, including volunteer work at national memorials in June.

• Professor Kim Hyuk-jung of Hoseo University Selected for Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 'Top 20 R&D Excellence Achievements'

  ➀ Professor Kim Hyuk-jung’s research on road fine dust reduction technology was selected as one of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s top 20 R&D achievements;

  ➁ The technology uses photocatalytic permeable concrete to decompose nitrogen oxides (NOx) and is advancing with carbon-neutral circular materials. CTI, a company founded by Kim, secured 10 billion KRW (~$7.7 million) in venture investment;

  ➂ CTI collaborates with POSCO E&C, Deers Group, and others to expand into B2G/B2B markets, promoting ESG values and a carbon-neutral circular economy.

• Advantest Korea Conducts Cheonan Factory Tour Program for Dankook University Semiconductor Bootcamp Students

  ➀ Advantest Korea hosted a factory tour at its Cheonan facility for 16 Dankook University students participating in a semiconductor bootcamp to enhance industry understanding and practical skills;

  ➁ The tour included visits to production lines, smart offices, and demo rooms, with expert-led explanations of testing equipment, applications, and industry trends;

  ➂ This initiative is part of Dankook University’s semiconductor talent development program, emphasizing hands-on industry collaboration to prepare students for careers in the semiconductor field.

• Hanwha Ocean Holds 'Safety Golden Bell' Event for Foreign Employees

  ➀ Hanwha Ocean organized a 'Global Ocean! Korean Safety Golden Bell' event at its Geoje Shipyard on June 19 to enhance safety awareness and Korean communication skills among foreign employees;

  ➁ 200 finalists selected from 4,000 foreign workers competed in three quiz rounds on safety protocols and Korean culture, with Uzbekistan's Ramojon winning the top prize of 1 million KRW (~$720);

  ➂ The company provides multilingual safety guides, pictogram-based safety materials, and regular safety meetings to ensure a secure work environment for foreign employees.

June 20

• POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa Pursues AI and Energy Collaboration in the U.S.

  ➀ POSCO Chairman Jang In-hwa attended a Korea Society roundtable in the U.S., discussing Korea-U.S. cooperation in AI and energy, focusing on integrating AI’s industrial knowledge models and automation solutions for manufacturing challenges;

  ➁ POSCO Holdings was inducted into the WSD Hall of Fame, recognized as the world’s most competitive steel company for 15 consecutive years (2010-2024) based on technical innovation, cost efficiency, and global reach;

  ➂ Jang emphasized future initiatives like AI-driven intelligent factories and hydrogen-based steel technologies, pledging continued innovation and responsible growth amid geopolitical uncertainties.

• LG Energy Solution and Toyota Tsusho Establish Joint Venture for Battery Recycling in the U.S.

  ➀ LG Energy Solution and Toyota Tsusho formed a U.S. joint venture (GMBI) in North Carolina to process **13,500 tons annually** of used EV batteries and production scrap into 'black mass' for metal extraction;

  ➁ The JV will utilize scrap from LG's U.S. plants and Toyota-collected batteries, supporting recycling for over **40,000 EVs** annually, with operations starting in 2026;

  ➂ The partnership aims to strengthen raw material supply chains and lead North America's battery recycling market through advanced recycling technologies.

• Bos Semiconductor Joins 'Chiplet' Standard UCIe Consortium

  ➀ Bos Semiconductor joined the Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe) consortium, a key industry standard for unifying chiplet interconnects launched in 2022, to advance heterogeneous semiconductor integration;

  ➁ The company also became a member of the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) to support multimedia standardization efforts;

  ➂ As a fabless AI chip developer, Bos unveiled its automotive AI accelerator 'Eagle-N' and aims to lead open high-performance semiconductor innovation spanning SoCs to AI accelerators.

• HD Hyundai Construction Machinery Collaborates with Indonesian Mining Company to Develop Mining Solutions

  ➀ HD Hyundai Construction Machinery signed an MOU with Indonesia's Hasnur Group to jointly advance mining solutions, including equipment supply, electric excavators, and site management systems;

  ➁ The partnership will involve data sharing to optimize equipment efficiency, with Hyundai supplying large wheel loaders first and developing a 'Total Mining Solution' covering maintenance and management;

  ➂ Targeting Indonesia's $2.5 billion (approx. 3.4 trillion KRW) mining equipment market, projected to grow at 8.1% annually until 2031, Hyundai aims to strengthen its global market position through electrification and digital solutions.

• Axis Launches AV1 Codec-Supported Video Surveillance Cameras

  ➀ Axis Communications introduces its first AV1 codec-enabled surveillance cameras, leveraging the AI-powered ARTPEC-9 SoC, to reduce storage and bandwidth usage by up to 30-50% while enhancing video quality;

  ➁ AV1, an open-source compression standard developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AoM), outperforms H.264/H.265 in efficiency and compatibility, supporting high-resolution streaming and cloud integration;

  ➂ New models like AXIS Q63 PTZ, Q35 Dome, and P32 Dome feature AI analytics, forensic WDR, and FIPS 140-3 Level 3 cybersecurity, with plans to expand AV1 support across future products.