Semiconductor News 20260213

Main News

1. Global Semiconductor Sales to Reach $1 Trillion for the First Time in 2026
   Global semiconductor sales are expected to show a strong recovery in 2025 with a 26% increase over the previous year, reaching the $1 trillion mark in 2026 for the first time ever. The market has entered a period of structural growth beyond the silicon cycle. On the other hand, there is also a sense of caution about overheating in the market, as U.S. stocks have temporarily declined due to concerns about alternative AI technologies.
2. Micron begins volume shipments of HBM4, clashing with Samsung
   Micron has begun volume shipments of its next-generation HBM4 memory amid tight supplies, intensifying a battle for supremacy with Samsung and SK Hynix over the supply of memory to Nvidia. Samsung has also shipped its first commercial HBM4 to demonstrate its speed improvements, and competition in the memory field, which determines the performance of AI semiconductors, is heating up.
3. Applied Materials Settles with SMIC for $250 Million over Shipments to SMIC
   Applied Materials, a leading U.S. semiconductor equipment manufacturer, has reached a $252.5 million (about $38 billion) settlement with the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) over alleged unauthorized equipment shipments to SMIC in China. A settlement was reached. This is a major settlement case regarding U.S. export control violations to China, and highlights once again the importance of geopolitical risk management in the semiconductor supply chain and the strictness of regulatory oversight.
4. ByteDance negotiates manufacturing with Samsung for in-house development of AI chips
   ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is reportedly negotiating with Samsung Electronics for contract manufacturing in order to develop its own AI semiconductors. With U.S. export restrictions making it difficult to obtain high-performance chips from Nvidia and others, securing its own chips has become a pressing need, and by leveraging Samsung’s manufacturing process and memory technology, ByteDance aims to reduce its dependence on specific hardware and maintain competitiveness in AI services.
5. TSMC is alone, AI demand drives profits, but other foundries face growth pressures
   TSMC’s advanced processes are generating strong profits due to strong AI-related demand, but other foundries such as SMIC, UMC, and VIS are facing growth pressures. While demand continues to be concentrated at TSMC, competitors, mainly in mature processes, are facing challenges in terms of capacity utilization and price competition, clearly polarizing the foundry market into “winners” and “losers”.
6. GlobalFoundries Targets $1 Billion in Silicon Photonics by 2028
   GlobalFoundries has accelerated its silicon photonics (photoelectric fusion) technology goals, with plans to grow revenue in the field to $1 billion by 2028. As AI infrastructures evolve, investment in manufacturing technologies to support the transition from electrical to optical signals is on the rise.
7. Dutch Government Launches Security Investigation into Nexperia’s Chinese Parent Company
   The Dutch government has launched an investigation into China’s Wingtech, the parent company of semiconductor company Nexperia, due to national security concerns. The investigation could last up to six months.Nexperia is an important chipmaker based in the Netherlands, but its presence under the influence of Chinese capital has been called into question, increasing the climate for Chinese semiconductor companies in Europe.
8. SMIC Warns of Rising Prices for Mature Nodes Due to AI Special Demand
   China’s SMIC has warned that anticipatory AI demand is rewriting the traditional chip cycle, leading to higher prices for mature nodes (legacy processes) Demand for power management ICs and peripheral chips for AI infrastructure has increased rapidly, This is due to a surge in demand for power management ICs and peripheral chips for AI infrastructure, which is putting pressure on production capacity. This could put upward pressure on semiconductor procurement costs for other industries such as consumer electronics and automotive.
9. Kioxia Reports 80% Net Income Growth on Booming Memory, but Struggles with Shortage of In-House Supplies
   Kioxia Holdings’ October-December 2025 financial results showed an 80% year-on-year increase in net income due to a recovery in demand for data center products. However, supply and demand are tightening due to a surge in AI demand, and the company is in a “happy scream” situation, struggling to secure memory for its own-brand products. Inventory adjustment in the market as a whole is progressing, and the upward trend in prices is boosting performance, but supply capacity constraints remain an issue.
10. Japanese firms are keenly watching India’s power semiconductor industry
    A power semiconductor industry is emerging in India, and Japanese firms are eyeing its growth potential. Renesas Electronics and others are involved in local factories, anticipating huge domestic demand and potential as an export base. As the supply chain becomes more decentralized against the backdrop of the U.S.-China conflict, India is emerging as a new semiconductor hub alongside Southeast Asia, and Japanese companies are increasingly linking their technologies with India’s production capabilities.

News List