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October 21
- Ceramics and Itochu-backed company develop technology to prevent EV battery fires
➀ Japanese company Kyocera and Itochu Corporation have invested in a US startup that has developed technology to prevent electric vehicle (EV) battery fires.
➁ The technology involves special processing of the battery's core components to avoid short circuits that can lead to fires.
➂ The startup, 24M Technologies, is in collaboration with large material companies and aims to commercialize the technology by 2026.
August 27
- Four Japanese Companies Among Top 10 in Global Power Semiconductor Market➀ Power semiconductors handle high voltage and large current, used in various products like smartphones and EVs. ➁ The global market for power semiconductors reached $28.3 billion in 2023, with German Infineon leading at 22.8%. ➂ Japanese companies like Mitsubishi Electric and Fuji Electric also hold significant market shares. ➃ There is a growing demand for new materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) to enhance efficiency in EVs and home appliances.
- Disassembling Huawei Phone: Is China's Semiconductor Industry Only 3 Years Behind?➀ China's semiconductor industry is estimated to be only 3 years behind TSMC in terms of technology and production capabilities. ➁ The latest Huawei smartphone, Pura 70 Pro, uses a 7nm processor manufactured by SMIC, which performs similarly to TSMC's 5nm processors. ➂ Despite U.S. export restrictions, China has been steadily improving its semiconductor production technology by procuring non-restricted equipment and focusing on domestic production.
August 22
- Konica Minolta's Jiangsu Office Equipment Factory to Cease Production➀ Konica Minolta announced the closure of its Jiangsu factory by the first half of 2025, affecting approximately 1400 employees. ➁ The closure is part of a structural reform to enhance profitability amidst financial struggles from its healthcare business. ➂ The company plans to find buyers for the factory's buildings and land, while its Guangdong factory will continue operations.