China’s No. 2 foundry, Hua Hong Semiconductor, is reportedly moving to acquire a controlling stake in Shanghai Huali Microelectronics (HLMC) via a combination of share issuance and cash, along with a supporting capital raise, according to ijiwei and Security Times.

The deal, aiming to resolve the industry-competition issue Hua Hong pledged to address at its IPO, would rank among the largest consolidations in China’s semiconductor industry in recent years if completed, as per EETimes China.

Hua Hong Semiconductor announced the plan on August 18, prompting a trading halt expected to last no more than 10 trading days, the reports add.

According to The Korea Economic Daily, sources indicate that Samsung Electronics will invest 25 billion yen (about $170 million) to establish an advanced chip packaging research and development center in Yokohama, Japan. The report adds that the City of Yokohama, which announced Samsung’s R&D center plan in December 2023, will offer a 2.5 billion yen subsidy to support the lab’s launch.

As the report points out, Samsung plans to open the research lab in March 2027, aiming to strengthen partnerships with Japanese semiconductor material and equipment makers—such as Disco Corp., Namics Corp., and Rasonac Corp.—alongside the University of Tokyo. Samsung plans to hire University of Tokyo researchers to strengthen its packaging R&D in Yokohama, the report adds.

Taiwan-based IC packaging and testing services provider ASE Technology Holding Co (日月光投控) yesterday said it has agreed to buy a plant in Kaohsiung from radio frequency chipmaker Win Semiconductors Corp (穩懋) to expand its advanced IC assembly capacity.

To meet rising demand for high-end IC assembly services amid an artificial intelligence (AI) boom, ASE Technology said it would spend NT$6.5 billion (US$216.48 million) to buy the plant and related facilities in Kaohsiung’s Lujhu District (路竹) inside the Southern Taiwan Science Park, a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange said.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TSMC said Tuesday it will phase out its 6-inch wafer manufacturing within two years while streamlining 8-inch production.

The chipmaker cited market conditions and its long-term strategy as the basis for the decision, per CNA. It said it will work closely with customers to ensure a smooth transition and maintain service. TSMC stressed the change will not affect its financial targets for the year. The company operates four 12-inch GigaFabs, four 8-inch fabs, and one 6-inch fab in Taiwan. Together with its subsidiaries, it expects to produce the equivalent of nearly 17 million 12-inch wafers this year.

SAMSUNG SDI today announced that an electric vehicle powered by its 21700 cylindrical batteries has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge.

The award-winning Lucid Air Grand Touring, designed and made by Lucid, the U.S.-based technology company and maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles, broke the world record for the longest distance driven on a single charge.

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced a new $100 billion commitment to America, a significant acceleration of its U.S. investment that now totals $600 billion over the next four years. Today’s announcement includes the ambitious new American Manufacturing Program (AMP), dedicated to bringing even more of Apple’s supply chain and advanced manufacturing to the U.S. Through AMP, Apple will increase its investment across America and incentivize global companies to manufacture even more critical components in the United States.

In 2024, the National Taiwan University launched a global undergraduate semiconductor programme for foreign students, which included Mandarin courses to help them reach the proficiency needed to stay and work in Taiwan.

The programme now enrols over 40 students from more than 10 countries.

TSMC also began looking towards foreign talent by throwing its weight behind a programme in Germany’s Saxony state, which would send German students to study for a semester at Taiwanese universities before interning at TSMC.

THOOTHUKUDI, India, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast (VFS.O), opens new tab began operations at a new plant in India, its first overseas factory, on Monday, and said it hopes to source more parts locally and that it had received orders from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Mauritius.
The loss-making carmaker has struggled to break into developed Western markets and its foray into India, the world's third-largest auto market, will be a key test of its vehicles' popularity and its business acumen.

WASHINGTON—Aug. 4, 2025—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced global semiconductor sales were $179.7 billion during the second quarter of 2025, an increase of 7.8% compared to Q1. Global sales were $59.9 billion during the month of June 2025, an increase of 19.6% compared to the June 2024 total of $50.1 billion and 1.5% more than sales in May 2025. Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.

STUTTGART, Germany, July 31— The Bosch Group announced the completion of its acquisition of the residential and light commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) business from Johnson Controls and the acquisition of the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning joint venture. Bosch's acquisition of Johnson Controls' HVAC business significantly boosts its global infrastructure with 26 R&D centers and 33 factories, especially in North America and APAC.