Chip foundries better insulated in an AI slowdown than Asia-Pacific tech peers, S&P says

scmp.com Sep 18, 2026

Chip foundries better insulated in an AI slowdown than Asia-Pacific tech peers, S&P says

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 18, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

S&P Global Ratings’ latest stress‑test analysis finds that Asia‑Pacific semiconductor foundries, led by contract manufacturers such as TSMC, are more resilient to a slowdown in artificial‑intelligence (AI) spending than other regional tech‑hardware sectors. The agency evaluated four key groups – foundries, memory chip makers, cooling‑component suppliers and original‑design manufacturers that build servers – against two adverse scenarios: a pull‑back in capital expenditure by hyperscalers like Amazon and Microsoft, and project delays caused by power‑grid constraints or land‑use bottlenecks. In both cases, foundries showed stronger balance‑sheet buffers and diversified customer bases, allowing them to absorb reduced orders without severe credit deterioration. Memory producers, cooling firms and server assemblers displayed greater vulnerability, with tighter margins and higher exposure to hyperscaler demand swings. The findings underscore a sector‑specific shield for contract chipmakers amid growing concerns over waning Big‑Tech AI investment.

💡 Why It Matters

· Foundries’ built‑in resilience could keep AI supply chains stable while other hardware players face tighter financing, preserving momentum for next‑generation AI deployment.

Capsules Semiconductors

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GlobalFoundries and Marvell Expand Collaboration for Next-Generation Optical Connectivity

GlobalFoundries and Marvell Technology have signed an expanded multi‑year agreement to boost capacity for GF’s silicon‑germanium (SiGe) production at the Burlington, Vermont fab. The deal targets the growing need for high‑speed optical interconnects in AI‑driven data centers, focusing on next‑generation pluggable transceivers, Near‑Packaged Optics (NPO) and Co‑packaged Optics (CPO). GF’s SiGe portfolio delivers the frequency, signal integrity and power efficiency required for 200 Gb/s‑per‑lane links and is positioned for faster generations as bandwidth demands rise. The partnership builds on more than a decade of collaboration, adding significant manufacturing capability to meet Marvell’s scaling requirements and to support emerging AI and cloud infrastructure. Both companies will also co‑develop advanced packaging that merges SiGe with silicon photonics, aiming to shorten delivery for 400 Gb/s solutions. The expanded capacity also supports emerging 800 Gb/s standards expected in hyperscale networks.

💡 By securing more SiGe output, Marvell can roll out higher‑bandwidth optical modules faster, giving AI‑focused operators a tangible performance edge as data traffic spikes.

me.mashable.com · Sep 18

Samsung’s memory price hike could drive up the cost of iPhones in…

Apple has agreed to Samsung Electronics’ new pricing for LPDDR5X RAM and NAND flash memory that will take effect in the first quarter of 2027, according to South Korean industry reports. The deal raises Apple’s component cost to roughly $2 per gigabit for DRAM and $0.33 per gigabit for NAND, representing a 30‑40 % increase over Samsung’s 2026 baseline rates of $1.50 and $0.26 respectively. Analysts say the higher bill of materials could force Apple to lift iPhone retail prices again, following a recent $100 price bump across its current lineup. Samsung offered similar terms to Chinese rivals Oppo and Vivo, but they declined and are seeking alternative suppliers. The renegotiation reflects tightening semiconductor supply driven by AI data‑center demand.

💡 Higher memory costs could push Apple’s flagship pricing into a new tier, testing consumer willingness to pay premium prices for incremental upgrades.

business-standard.com · Sep 18

Semiconductor sector now ranks third globally in profits, says SEMI CEO

Ajit Manocha, president and chief executive officer of Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), told a fireside chat that the global semiconductor industry has become the third‑most profitable industrial sector. He linked the surge to heightened demand for artificial‑intelligence chips and pandemic‑driven reliance on devices such as laptops and smartphones for telemedicine and remote schooling. Manocha highlighted the technology’s expanding role in automotive, healthcare, defense and emerging applications like gene editing and assistive devices. He noted India’s growing attractiveness for chip manufacturing after the 2021 launch of the India Semiconductor Mission, citing a projected domestic chip demand of $100‑$110 billion by 2030. Manocha urged India to accelerate capability building, strategic investments and STEM talent development to capture the next growth phase.

💡 India’s rapid scaling of semiconductor capacity could reshape global supply chains, giving the country leverage in a market projected to exceed $100 billion within five years.

newkerala.com · Sep 18

Nexperia, Tata Electronics Partner for Chip Manufacturing in India

Dutch chipmaker Nexperia has signed a partnership with India’s Tata Electronics to produce and package power‑control chips at Tata’s upcoming semiconductor complex. The agreement covers front‑end wafer fabrication at the $11 billion Dholera fab in Gujarat and back‑end assembly and test at Tata’s Jagiroad facility in Assam. Under the deal Nexperia will introduce its MOSFET portfolio to the 300 mm line, while both firms will cooperate on technology development and ecosystem building. The collaboration follows Nexperia’s split from former Chinese parent Wingtech after Dutch state intervention and a retaliatory export ban that created shortages for automakers. No financial terms were disclosed, but the tie‑up aims to strengthen a globally balanced manufacturing network and boost India’s semiconductor capabilities in the coming years globally.

💡 By anchoring advanced chip production in India, the deal gives Western‑aligned firms a manufacturing foothold outside China, reducing supply‑chain risk for automotive and consumer‑electronics makers.

economictimes.indiatimes.com · Sep 18

India has a once-in-a-generation semiconductor demand window: Infosys SVP

At SEMICON India 2026, Infosys Senior Vice President Vikram Meghal highlighted that India faces a “once‑in‑a‑generation” semiconductor demand window driven by AI, geopolitical supply‑chain shifts, and a move from Moore’s Law to system‑level scaling. He outlined three strategic fronts: “Made for India,” expanding mobile localisation; “Engineered in India,” where R&D spending is expected to rise 1.8‑fold; and “Invent in India,” targeting global custom‑chip markets. Meghal urged the industry to adopt strategic patience, develop a product mindset, and pursue ownership of the entire technology stack to capture higher value.

💡 The shift to custom silicon offers India a chance to move from manufacturing to innovation, potentially redefining its role in the global semiconductor supply chain.

theliberalworld.com · Sep 18

PM Modi Inaugurates SEMICON India 2026, Unveils Roadmap for Semiconductor Growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi, unveiling the “Semicon 2.0” roadmap that aims to transform India’s semiconductor sector from policy‑driven incentives to full‑scale manufacturing. The event highlighted the emergence of a domestic ecosystem that now includes design, packaging and research capabilities, and featured the launch of new commercial production lines for chips. Modi invited multinational firms to set up fabrication facilities in the country, emphasizing India’s readiness to host advanced fabs. Government officials said the roadmap will provide heightened support for talent development, supply‑chain integration and export promotion, positioning India as a strategic alternative to traditional chip hubs in East Asia and the United States.

💡 By positioning India as a viable chip‑manufacturing destination, the roadmap seeks to reduce global supply‑chain vulnerabilities and give the country a foothold in a high‑value technology market.