Page 8 - Chips Components News Today

Backend houses production utilization rates for COF packaging have increased, boosted by a recovery in display driver IC (DDI) demand, according to industry sources.

Display driver IC specialist Novatek Microelectronics expects its revenue to grow slightly in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter, thanks to customer replenishment demand.

With the semiconductor market in a downturn, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have seen their 1Q23 performances seriously affected. Although both companies are positive about a semiconductor market recovery in the second half of 2023, South Korean industries have had differing views and are paying close attention to future developments.

Taiwan-based power management IC (PMIC) producers had previously expressed fear that Europe- and US-based IDMs would return to the consumer PMIC segment, and this appears to be the case.

TSMC reportedly is looking to raise pricing for specific orders and processes in the second half of this year or in 2024 in order to maintain stability and profitability, according to industry sources.

MCU specialist Nuvoton Technology has warned of limited long-term order visibility, claiming the market recovery is not proceeding as fast as expected and the industrys inventory correction will continue.

The global consumer electronics market has faced sluggish end demand since the beginning of 2023. Sources anticipates suppliers to buoy the market with new product series this year, such as Nvidias mid-end RTX 40 series.

US-based SkyWater Technology, a Category 1A Trusted Foundry accredited by the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) under the US Department of Defense, announced on May 2 that it has expanded its development agreement with PsiQuantum, a company seeking to deliver a commercially viable and error-corrected general purpose quantum computer using silicon photonics.

Flexible PCB specialist Flexium Interconnect remains bullish on long-term demand for high-layer count LCP (liquid crystal polymer) products, eyeing the growing sales potential in the high-frequency data transmission market.

Infineon Technologies is diversifying its silicon carbide (SiC) supplier base and has signed a long-term agreement with Chinese SiC supplier TankeBlue to secure additional competitive SiC sources, according to the Germany-based IDM. TankeBlue will supply Infineon with 150-millimeter SiC wafers and boules for the manufacturing of SiC semiconductors, covering a double-digit share of the forecasted demand in the long term.