SemiVoice

October 4

• Taiwan Government Reiterates Disagreement with U.S. Proposal to Shift Half of Semiconductor Production

  ➀ Taiwan’s Deputy Premier Zheng Lizhong stated strong opposition to the U.S. proposal to relocate 50% of Taiwan’s semiconductor production capacity to America, clarifying that no agreement was ever made and TSMC was not involved in related negotiations;

  ➁ Taiwan emphasized promoting its own investment model in the U.S., focusing on financial guarantees, industrial clusters, and infrastructure support, rather than yielding to production-sharing demands;

  ➂ Political and industry leaders, including opposition party chief Zhu Lilun and Pegatron’s Chairman Tong Tzu-hsien, criticized the proposal, arguing it undermines Taiwan’s strategic "silicon shield" and decades of semiconductor industry development.

October 3

• Intel's Revival: Begins Discussions to Produce AMD Chips

  ➀ Intel has initiated preliminary discussions to manufacture AMD chips through its foundry division, potentially boosting its contract chipmaking business;

  ➀ AMD, currently relying on TSMC for chip production, could signal broader adoption of Intel's foundry services if the collaboration materializes;

  ➂ Intel's recent moves, including securing investments from Nvidia and SoftBank, aim to stabilize operations under CEO Lipbu Tan and expand partnerships with major clients like Apple.

• LG Electronics Launches New Smart Cottage Model Priced at Around 100 Million KRW

  ➀ LG Electronics releases two new Smart Cottage models (8㎡ and 16㎡) priced at approximately 100 million KRW (~$73,500 USD), targeting second-home seekers and lifestyle enthusiasts;

  ➁ The modular design features flat roofs, unified components for cost reduction, and integration of AI home appliances (e.g., air conditioners, refrigerators) and IoT devices controlled via LG ThinQ app;

  ➂ Achieves 50% faster construction time using pre-fab methods and secures Korea's highest ZEB Plus certification with 120% energy self-sufficiency for one model.

• Roborock Donates Appliances to Welfare Facilities for Chuseok

  ➀ Roborock donated household appliances worth KRW 22 million (approx. $16,500) to child welfare facilities and youth preparing for independence in celebration of Chuseok, with support from distributors Tinkware Mobile and Haan Corporation.

  ➁ The donation, part of the 'Green Remodeling Campaign' with Save the Children, aims to improve living environments for children and now extends to young adults leaving foster care.

  ➂ Roborock provided all-in-one washer-dryers and installation support, emphasizing its commitment to social responsibility and community welfare.

• Hatz Launches Premium 'Clair Induction' with Hood Integration and One-Stop Installation

  ➀ Hatz unveiled its premium induction cooker 'Clair Induction,' featuring a scratch-resistant ceramic glass top and streamlined one-stop plug-and-play installation without electrical work;

  ➁ It supports 3 burners with a booster function for simultaneous cooking, auto-hood synchronization to remove fumes, and safety features like overheating prevention and residual heat indicators;

  ➂ The company aims to expand market share in South Korea’s growing induction appliance sector with this release.

• Chungnam Technopark and Dankook University Sign Agreement to Advance Next-Generation Display Industry

  ➀ Chungnam Technopark and Dankook University's Innovation Convergence College for Next-Generation Displays signed a cooperation agreement on October 1 to strengthen collaborative efforts in talent development and R&D for display technologies, including AI integration.

  ➁ The agreement focuses on industry-aligned education programs, shared resources (e.g., instructors, materials), and joint research initiatives to foster localized talent and technological advancement.

  ➂ The partnership aims to enhance regional competitiveness in the display sector and support sustainable growth through industry-academia collaboration and AI-driven innovation.

• EnChem Operates Chinese Factories at Full Capacity During National Day... Expects to Supply 6,000 Tons This Month

  ➀ EnChem maintains full production at its Chinese electrolyte factories during China's National Day holiday (October 1-8), planning to supply over 6,000 tons in October—its largest monthly volume in China to date;

  ➁ The company aims to produce 30,000 tons of electrolyte in H2 2025, with Q4 output expected to reach 20,000 tons, setting new quarterly records;

  ➂ EnChem is expanding its supply chain partnerships, including agreements to deliver 5,000+ tons to Zhongqi Sinoneng and 7,000 tons to battery maker SVOLT by 2026, while targeting supply partnerships with 16 of China's top 20 battery manufacturers by 2026.

• LG Display Wins Grand Prize in IT Manufacturing Category at 'Korea SNS Awards'

  ➀ LG Display was awarded the Grand Prize in the IT Manufacturing Category at the "15th 2025 Korea SNS Awards" for its proactive communication with customers and stakeholders through social media;

  ➁ The award evaluates companies based on their social media influence index (KOSBI), expert evaluations, and user voting, recognizing LG Display's innovative content highlighting technology and its creators;

  ➂ LG Display plans to expand customer engagement through multi-platform efforts, including its Newsroom, YouTube, and LinkedIn, focusing on the core values of "Technology and People."

• BodyFriend Operates Holiday Lounges During Chuseok... Offers Up to 3.28 Million KRW Benefits

  ➀ BodyFriend operates 159 lounges nationwide during Chuseok, with 55 major locations open on the holiday;

  ➁ Customers purchasing key products receive a free premium care service (valued at 900,000 KRW / ~692 USD) and a marble wine holder set (31,000 KRW / ~238 USD);

  ➂ Total benefits, including discounts and card promotions, can reach up to 3.28 million KRW (~2,523 USD), with additional medical device discounts of up to 900,000 KRW (~692 USD).

• Baker Chemical Begins Mass Production of Flexible Sensor Electronic Component 'Nexiphal Sense'

  ➀ Baker Chemical launched mass production of the 'Nexiphal Sense,' a flexible sensor with a laminated silicone rubber structure, to be showcased at K-Show 2025;

  ➁ The sensor detects pressure and deformation for precision applications in medical devices, robotics, and e-mobility;

  ➂ The company also introduced new silicone rubber products for EV batteries, eco-friendly food-grade materials, and cost-effective solutions.

• Cuchen Joins Government's AI Manufacturing Innovation 'MAX Alliance'

  ➀ Cuchen participates in the South Korean government's MAX Alliance, a public-private initiative aimed at advancing AI integration in manufacturing, alongside companies like LG Electronics and Hyundai Motor;

  ➁ The alliance focuses on developing AI-driven technologies for production optimization, logistics, and smart factory systems, with Cuchen leading projects in AI-based inspection and assembly line automation;

  ➂ Cuchen plans to implement AI solutions in its smart factories, including robotic palletizing and automated scheduling, to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.

October 2

• LG Innotek Secures Optical R&D Talent in Vietnam

  ➀ LG Innotek held a recruitment event 'Optekcon' in Haiphong, Vietnam, to attract engineering talents for optical R&D;

  ➁ The company recently completed the expansion of its V3 plant in Vietnam with a total floor area of 150,000㎡, doubling production capacity;

  ➂ Over 80 students and faculty from Vietnamese universities participated, with plans to expand similar hiring programs globally.

• S-OIL's Onsan Plant Obtains ISO 50001 Energy Management System Certification

  ➀ S-OIL's Onsan plant in Ulsan officially obtained ISO 50001 certification, an international standard for energy management systems, on September 25;

  ➁ The certification promotes systematic energy efficiency improvements, cost reduction, and greenhouse gas mitigation through leadership-driven goals and performance verification;

  ➂ S-OIL expects enhanced profitability from lowered energy intensity and progress toward carbon neutrality and ESG objectives.

• Semifive Passes Preliminary Listing Review for KOSDAQ

  ➀ Semifive, a semiconductor design house, passed the preliminary listing review for KOSDAQ and plans to pursue an IPO within the year;

  ➁ Funds raised through the IPO will be used for R&D, operational expenses, and global business expansion;

  ➂ CEO Myung-hyun Jo stated the company aims to proactively address AI semiconductor demand and strengthen collaboration with global semiconductor firms.

• Epson Korea Launches Food Tech SCARA Robot 'FZ Series'

  ➀ Epson Korea launched the FZ Series SCARA robots (GX8-FZ, LS10-FZ, T3-FZ), designed for food industry safety with NSF H1-grade grease and contamination-resistant features;

  ➁ The models support tasks like packaging side dishes, seafood, fermented foods, and confectionery in hygienic environments;

  ➂ Epson, a global SCARA robot market leader for 13 years, aims to provide automation solutions tailored to the food sector.

• Toprun Total Solutions to Supply Central Display Backlights to China’s Geely Automobile

  ➀ Toprun Total Solutions secured a contract to supply 14.6-inch central control display backlights for Geely Automobile’s key models through local auto parts supplier Smartwin;

  ➁ The agreement covers a monthly supply of 40,000 units, totaling 1.4 million units over three years, with mass production starting in Q1 2026 at Toprun’s Nanjing facility;

  ➂ This follows Toprun’s earlier deal with Chery Automobile, solidifying its presence in China’s automotive display market amid growing demand for integrated in-vehicle infotainment systems.

• NVIDIA Surpasses $4.5 Trillion Market Cap for the First Time, Hits New High on AI Boom

  ➀ NVIDIA's stock price reached a historic high, with its market capitalization exceeding $4.5 trillion for the first time, driven by AI-related data center investments;

  ➁ CoreWeave, a U.S. data center operator, signed a $14.2 billion (approximately 19.95 trillion KRW) contract with Meta to supply computing power using NVIDIA GPUs, further boosting market optimism;

  ➂ CoreWeave plans to provide Meta access to NVIDIA's latest AI accelerator, the GB300, reinforcing NVIDIA's dominance in data center infrastructure and GPU technology.

• SK Discovery Sells Entire Stake in Subsidiary SK D&D

  ➀ SK Discovery announced the sale of its entire 31.3% stake in subsidiary SK D&D to Han & Company for 742 billion won (approximately $618 million);

  ➁ The divestment aligns with SK Group’s portfolio rebalancing strategy, allowing SK Discovery to focus on core sectors like green materials, energy, and bio, while exploring new growth areas;

  ➂ Post-sale, Han & Company becomes SK D&D’s largest shareholder, enabling more flexible management, while SK Discovery plans to maintain collaborative ties with SK D&D as a business partner.

• Samsung Electronics Holds 'AI Subscription Festa' Until November 30th

  ➀ Samsung Electronics launches the 'AI Subscription Festa' until November 30, offering up to 8% membership points for new 'AI All-in-One 2.0' subscribers and additional incentives for multi-product purchases;

  ➁ Subscribers purchasing two or more AI package products with the plan receive up to KRW 50,000 (≈ $37) per item in points, plus a government rebate of up to KRW 300,000 (≈ $225) per person;

  ➂ Enhanced 'Blue Pass' services include flexible installation scheduling, same-day delivery, and prioritized maintenance for subscribers.

• LG Electronics' Indian Subsidiary to List on 14th... “Enterprise Value Up to KRW 12 Trillion”

  ➀ LG Electronics India received final approval for its IPO, listing on October 14 with a 15% stake sale valued at KRW 17.38-18.35 trillion ($12.3-13 billion);

  ➁ The subsidiary could reach a valuation of up to KRW 12 trillion ($85 billion), surpassing competitors like Whirlpool India ($17 billion) and Voltas ($51 billion);

  ➂ Funds will accelerate B2B-focused growth, expand production bases in India, and enhance shareholder value, building on 28 years of local operations.

• LG Chem to Showcase 'Innovative Material Solutions' at Europe's Largest Plastics Exhibition

  ➀ LG Chem participates in K2025, Europe's largest plastics exhibition, showcasing over 65 high-value, eco-friendly materials across automotive, packaging, and high-performance zones;

  ➁ Highlights include automotive components (e.g., radiator grilles, EV charging cables), UniQable recyclable packaging, and advanced materials like carbon nanotubes (CNT) and aerogels;

  ➂ Emphasizes mechanical/chemical recycling technologies to meet EU regulations and targets the growing recycled materials market through specialized products.

October 1

• BOE Files Patent Invalidation Lawsuit Against Samsung Display Over 12 US Patents

  ➀ BOE filed petitions with the US Patent Trial and Appeal Board (USPTAB) to invalidate 12 of Samsung Display's US patents, which were the basis for Samsung's three patent infringement lawsuits against BOE in April 2025;

  ➁ The patents cover technologies including OLED displays, thin-film transistor arrays, and pixel structures, with Samsung alleging BOE infringed these through its use in Nubia smartphones;

  ➂ This countersue follows Samsung's earlier ITC complaints, where five of its patents were upheld as valid, and precedes a pending ITC final ruling on trade secret infringement in November 2025.

• Cheongho NICE Launches B2B Mattress 'CleanFit'

  ➀ Cheongho NICE has introduced the B2B mattress 'CleanFit', targeting the corporate market with enhanced safety, hygiene, and durability features;

  ➁ The mattress incorporates flame-retardant fabric, eco-friendly Smartcell materials for antibacterial properties, and reinforced support structures like pocket springs and high-density foam;

  ➂ Additional services include mattress care provided by certified Cheongho Care Masters, ensuring maintenance for multi-user environments.

• Three Hanwha Defense Subsidiaries Pay Tribute at Seoul National Cemetery on Armed Forces Day

  ➀ Three Hanwha defense subsidiaries—Hanwha AeroSpace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean—visited the Seoul National Cemetery on September 29 to commemorate South Korea's Armed Forces Day (October 1). Executives and employees, including CEO Son Jae-il and division head Eo Seong-cheol, participated in the tribute;

  ➁ The companies renewed their commitment to national defense by writing in the guestbook: "We honor the noble spirit of sacrifice for the nation on the 77th anniversary of Armed Forces Day";

  ➂ Since 2011, Hanwha's defense affiliates have partnered with the cemetery, conducting annual memorial visits and maintenance activities to uphold their duty of contributing to national security through business (사업보국).

• Seragem's Pauje M Collection Receives Good Sleep Mark Certification

  ➀ Seragem's Pauje M Collection obtained the Gold-grade Good Sleep Mark from the Korea Sleep Industry Association, certifying its scientifically proven effectiveness in improving sleep quality through non-invasive brain activity testing;

  ➁ The product demonstrated physical relaxation and psychological stability by regulating prefrontal cortex activity, with design features that evenly distribute body pressure and optimize sleep posture;

  ➂ It integrates a 90-minute sleep-inducing program, heat, vibration, and patented thermal massage balls to enhance sleep quality and reduce fatigue.

• Choi Yoon-beom, Chairman of Korea Zinc, Inspects New Germanium Factory Site in Ulsan

  ➀ Choi Yoon-beom, Chairman of Korea Zinc, visited the Ulsan Onsan Refinery to inspect preparations for a new germanium production plant, focusing on addressing challenges in strategic mineral and semiconductor sulfuric acid production;

  ➁ Korea Zinc is investing 140 billion KRW (~$100 million) to build the germanium factory, targeting commercial operation in H1 2028. Germanium, a critical material for defense technologies like night-vision devices, has seen surging prices due to Chinese export controls;

  ➂ Choi emphasized the company’s role in non-China supply chains, praised 38 years of labor-management harmony without strikes or layoffs (even during the IMF crisis), and underscored the importance of workplace safety as a core value.

• Schneider Electric and MotiveAir Synergy Intensifies... Unveils Liquid Cooling Portfolio

  ➀ Schneider Electric unveils integrated liquid cooling solutions optimized for HPC and AI workloads, combining hardware (CDUs, RDHx, HDUs), software, and services;

  ➁ The portfolio, certified by NVIDIA, already cools 6 of the world's top 10 supercomputers and supports up to 2.5MW cooling capacity;

  ➂ Solutions reduce water/energy consumption through air-cooled chillers and offer end-to-end support, including design, installation, and maintenance.

• Samsung Heavy Industries Wins Order for 2 Oil Tankers Worth KRW 237.3 Billion

  ➀ Samsung Heavy Industries secured an order for two oil tankers valued at KRW 237.3 billion (approximately $182.5 million) from an Oceania-based client, with delivery scheduled by May 2028;

  ➁ This contract raises its total annual orders to $5 billion, achieving 51% of its 2025 target of $9.8 billion, including LNG carriers, shuttle tankers, and ethane carriers;

  ➂ The company anticipates continued demand for oil tankers due to aging fleets and plans to strengthen global partnerships to adapt to market changes.

• LG Electronics Launches New AI-Enabled Laundry Appliances Tailored to Lifestyles

  ➀ LG Electronics introduced four AI-powered laundry appliances, including a 25kg washer/dryer, 23kg Wash Tower, and compact models for small spaces;

  ➁ Key features include AI DD Motor for optimized washing, Smart On auto-power, energy efficiency (Grade 1), and AI Time Sensing for real-time estimations;

  ➂ Prices range from 2.49 million KRW (~$1,770) for the Wash Combo Compact to 4.44 million KRW (~$3,160) for the Wash Tower, with rebate eligibility.

• HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Begins Full-Scale MRO of U.S. Navy's USNS Alan Shepard

  ➀ HD Hyundai Heavy Industries commenced maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work on the 41,000-ton U.S. Navy cargo ship USNS Alan Shepard, docked at Yeompo Pier in Ulsan, with plans to complete the project by the end of 2025;

  ➁ The company, which secured the contract in August 2025, has expanded its MRO capabilities through a support center in the Philippines and aims to merge with HD Hyundai Mipo to leverage its dock infrastructure for overseas naval projects;

  ➂ The merger with HD Hyundai Mipo, targeted for December 2025, is expected to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen its position in global naval maintenance services.