by AFP Workers Writers
Seoul (AFP) Feb 12, 2026
Samsung Electronics introduced Thursday it had began mass manufacturing of next-generation reminiscence chips to energy synthetic intelligence, touting an “industry-leading” breakthrough.
The high-bandwidth HBM4 chips are seen as a key element wanted to scale-up the huge knowledge centres powering the explosion in synthetic intelligence.
US tech big Nvidia — the world’s most useful firm — is broadly anticipated to be one in every of Samsung’s most important consumers.
Samsung mentioned it had “begun mass manufacturing of its industry-leading HBM4 and has shipped business merchandise to prospects”.
“This achievement marks a primary within the {industry}, securing an early management place within the HBM4 market,” the South Korean firm mentioned in a press release.
A worldwide frenzy to construct AI knowledge centres has despatched orders for superior, excessive?bandwidth reminiscence microchips hovering.
Samsung mentioned its new chip was considerably sooner than older fashions, exceeding {industry} requirements for processing pace by greater than 40 %.
This might fulfill “escalating calls for for increased efficiency”, the corporate mentioned.
Samsung Electronics inventory was up greater than six % in afternoon commerce on South Korea’s inventory alternate.
The South Korean authorities has pledged to change into one of many world’s prime three AI powers, alongside the USA and China.
Samsung and its South Korean rival SK hynix are already among the many main producers of high-performance reminiscence chips, and the 2 corporations had raced to begin HBM4 manufacturing.
Taipei-based analysis agency TrendForce predicts that reminiscence chip {industry} income will surge to a world peak of greater than $840 billion in 2027.
-Frontrunner-
Samsung Electronics posted report quarterly income earlier this yr, using on huge market demand for its highly effective reminiscence chips.
The corporate has already earmarked billions of {dollars} to broaden chip manufacturing amenities, pledging to proceed spending in “transitioning to superior manufacturing processes and upgrading present manufacturing strains to satisfy rising demand”.
An {industry} observer mentioned the transfer would assist Samsung seize the second within the intensifying race for chips important to AI infrastructure.
“Samsung struggled within the race for HBM3 chips, lagging behind its rival SK hynix,” Kim Dae-jong, a professor of enterprise at Sejong College, advised AFP.
“However with the early manufacturing of HBM4, it has positioned itself as a frontrunner within the competitors,” he added.
Nvidia designs {hardware} that powers AI computing, and has an nearly insatiable demand for reminiscence chips made by the likes of Samsung and SK hynix.
The US-based firm’s nearly singular function within the AI revolution has taken the world by storm for the reason that introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022.
Apple, Microsoft and Amazon have additionally developed chips with AI in thoughts, however for now are caught making an attempt to get their fingers on Nvidia’s coveted merchandise.
Main electronics producers and {industry} analysts have warned that chipmakers specializing in AI gross sales will trigger increased retail costs for shopper merchandise throughout the board.
Dutch court docket orders investigation into China-owned Nexperia
Amsterdam (AFP) Feb 11, 2026 -
A Dutch court docket on Wednesday ordered a proper investigation into alleged mismanagement at Nexperia, a Chinese language-owned chip agency on the centre of a world tug-of-war over important semiconductor expertise.
The agency, based mostly within the Netherlands however whose father or mother firm is China’s Wingtech, has been the topic of a standoff between Beijing and the West, which threatened to hobble automobile producers that depend on its chips.
“(The court docket) finds that there are legitimate causes to doubt the sound coverage and conduct of enterprise at Nexperia and orders an investigation,” mentioned the Amsterdam-based Enterprise Chamber in a press release.
The investigation is anticipated to take a number of months.
The court docket had beforehand performed a key half within the row over Nexperia in October when it suspended the Chinese language CEO Zhang Xuezheng, often known as Wing, citing considerations over his administration.
These measures stay in drive with the opening of the probe, the court docket mentioned.
“The director stays suspended. The appointment of a short lived director at Nexperia and the switch of the shares in Nexperia stay in impact,” mentioned the court docket in a press release.
The court docket discovered there was “negligent conduct involving a battle of curiosity.”
As well as, the court docket mentioned Wing modified the agency’s technique with out consulting the opposite board members, refused to honour agreements with Dutch officers and crimped the powers of European Nexperia executives.
– ‘Scorched earth’ coverage –
Throughout hearings final month within the court docket, attorneys for Nexperia accused Wingtech of a “scorched earth” coverage in its bid to wrest management of the corporate.
One of many agency’s attorneys, Jeroen van der Schrieck, mentioned Wingtech was “doing every thing to destabilise Nexperia, already below strain from a disaster state of affairs”.
Wingtech representatives responded that the Dutch intervention was “incomprehensible” and meant the row “degenerated needlessly”.
Wing didn’t attend final month’s hearings. His lawyer mentioned the case had taken a toll on his well being and he didn’t really feel robust sufficient to look in individual.
Along with the court docket order, the Dutch state waded into the row, utilizing a Chilly Warfare-era regulation for the primary time to successfully seize management of the corporate.
This sparked fury in Beijing, which responded by banning re-exports of the agency’s chips. The chips are despatched to China for ending earlier than being shipped to prospects.
Carmakers warned of main manufacturing issues because the parts are important to onboard electronics.
China softened its stance in November, reportedly as a part of a commerce deal agreed by President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump.
In response, the Dutch authorities suspended its proposed takeover, taking among the warmth out of the row.
The agency isn’t any stranger to regulatory considerations within the West.
America put Wingtech on one in every of its “entity lists” final December, that means the federal government believed it was appearing towards US nationwide safety and international coverage pursuits.
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