SemiVoice

June 22

• 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 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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

June 21

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

June 20

• [Photo] The Dream Transportation 'Hyper Tube'

  ➀ The 2025 Land and Transport Technology Exhibition, hosted by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, was held at COEX in Seoul on June 19;

  ➁ The Korea Railroad Research Institute exhibited a model of the ultra-high-speed Hyper Tube transportation system;

  ➂ Visitors explored the Hyper Tube model, showcasing advancements in future transportation technology.

• [Photo] The Dream Transportation 'Hyper Tube'

  ➀ The 2025 National Transportation Technology Exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, was held at COEX in Seoul on June 19, showcasing advanced transportation innovations;

  ➀ South Korea's Railway Research Institute exhibited a model of the hyper-speed Hyper Tube, a futuristic transportation concept;

  ➀ The event attracted visitors to explore cutting-edge technologies aimed at redefining future mobility solutions.

• ROHM Develops 'PFC + Flyback Control Reference' for Compact Power Supply Design

  ➀ ROHM introduced a new reference design **REF67004** that integrates Power Factor Correction (PFC) and Quasi-Resonant Flyback converters, controlled via its LogiCoA™ microcontroller, to address compact power supply demands for industrial equipment.

  ➁ The solution combines analog and digital control, enabling calibration of external component variations, reduced power device size, and cost savings. It also stores operational logs (voltage, current, temperature) in non-volatile memory for fault analysis.

  ➂ The design supports real-time parameter adjustments via ROHM's **RMOS** software and is available for evaluation and purchase through online distributors.

• [Photo] Communication System Informing Autonomous Vehicles

  ➀ The 2025 National Land and Transport Technology Exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, was held at COEX in Seoul on June 19;

  ➁ The Autonomous Driving Technology Development Innovation Business Unit showcased a V2H-based communication system designed for autonomous vehicles;

  ➂ Visitors explored the specialized system aimed at enhancing communication capabilities for self-driving cars.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

June 19

• Equipment Manufacturers HPSP and Yesstech Escalate Patent Dispute... Additional Infringement Lawsuit Filed

  ➀ HPSP filed an additional patent infringement lawsuit against Yesstech over a dual-wall structure patent (No. 0766303) for high-pressure annealing equipment, intensifying their legal conflict;

  ➁ Yesstech countered that the patent, set to expire in May 2025, is likely invalid due to prior art from the 1970s and will not impact its equipment evaluations or market entry;

  ➂ The dispute began in 2023 as HPSP seeks to delay Yesstech's entry into the HPA equipment market, where HPSP holds a dominant position.

• SK Nexilis Sells Stake in Malaysian Subsidiary to Japan's Toyota Tsusho, Secures 150 Billion Won

  ➀ SK Nexilis sold a portion of its Malaysian subsidiary's shares to Toyota Tsusho for 151 billion KRW (~$110 million) to address financial losses amid slowing EV demand and copper foil oversupply;

  ➁ The subsidiary produces copper foil, a critical material for battery anode collectors, and the partnership aims to strengthen Toyota Tsusho's battery material supply chain;

  ➂ Both companies plan to collaborate on raw material procurement, joint marketing, and next-generation battery development to enhance competitiveness in the global EV market.

• LS Materials and LS Marine Solutions Pursue Offshore Wind Power Installation Port Business

  ➀ LS Materials and LS Marine Solutions partner with Blue Water Shipping (BWS) to develop dedicated ports for offshore wind turbine assembly and operations, starting with a pilot site in South Korea targeting 1GW capacity by late 2024;

  ➁ The collaboration aims to establish a comprehensive value chain, including storage, installation, transport, and maintenance, expanding to key ports for standardization;

  ➂ This initiative aligns with South Korea's offshore wind expansion policies and strengthens supply chain competitiveness in the Northeast Asian market.

• LG Innotek to Produce 'Eyes' for NVIDIA-Invested Humanoid Robots

  ➀ LG Innotek will supply camera modules for Figure AI's humanoid robots, leveraging its expertise to enter the robotics market;

  ➁ Figure AI, a startup backed by NVIDIA, Jeff Bezos, and Microsoft, aims to produce 100,000 robots within four years, with LG Innotek’s cameras enabling environmental perception;

  ➂ Goldman Sachs projects the humanoid robot market to reach $37.8 billion (51 trillion KRW) by 2035, underscoring the sector's rapid growth and LG Innotek’s strategic diversification beyond mobile-centric revenue.

• LG Electronics’ New Jersey Office Emerges as Hub for ‘Private Technology Diplomacy’

  ➀ LG Electronics' New Jersey office serves as a hub for technology diplomacy, offering STEM programs for local students through its 'Inspiration Lab' featuring OLED, robots, and EV simulators;

  ➁ The lab attracted over 4,000 visitors in 2023 and hosts events like College Day for Ivy League students to showcase AI, robotics, and smart home innovations;

  ➂ The facility also functions as a diplomatic venue, engaging foreign consuls and earning LEED Platinum certification for its eco-friendly design and energy efficiency.

• LG Electronics Launches In-Vehicle webOS in Europe for the First Time…Installed in Kia EV3

  ➀ LG Electronics introduces its vehicle webOS content platform to Europe for the first time, starting with the Kia EV3;

  ➁ The platform provides in-car entertainment services like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and LG Channel, tailored to comply with safety regulations;

  ➂ LG plans to expand streaming services (e.g., HEYSTACK News, NXPTER) in H2 2025 to enhance mobility experiences in the European market.