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Hanmi Semiconductor Makes Full-Scale Entry into the U.S. Semiconductor Supply Chain

Hanmi Semiconductor will establish its U.S. subsidiary, Hanmi USA, in San Jose, California, by the end of 2026, marking its full-scale entry into the American semiconductor market. The move carries special significance, as it fulfills the founding vision of serving as a bridge between Korea and the United States nearly five decades after Founder Chairman Noh Kwon Kwak's establishment of the company using the expertise he acquired at Motorola.
Chairman Dong Shin Kwak said, "As mass production of HBM4 accelerates, demand for TC bonders is growing rapidly. Through our U.S. subsidiary, we will strengthen localized customer support and accelerate our growth in the United States, which is emerging as a major global semiconductor manufacturing hub." The San Jose office will serve as Hanmi Semiconductor's integrated U.S. operations center, providing advanced technical support to global semiconductor companies establishing new manufacturing facilities in the United States, including Intel, Micron, and Amkor Technology.
The expansion is also aimed at strengthening direct collaboration with hyperscale companies such as Microsoft and Google. Building on its global leadership in TC bonders for HBM, Hanmi Semiconductor plans to reinforce its position in the AI semiconductor market by introducing 2.5D packaging equipment and next-generation hybrid bonders. Based on its distinctive technological capabilities, the company is also maintaining its leading position in the aerospace sector, which serves as another pillar of future growth.

KBI Dongyang Steel Pipe Earns Japan M-Grade Factory Certification

KBI Dongyang Steel Pipe, a subsidiary of KBI Group, has obtained M-Grade Factory Certification from the Japan Steel Structure Evaluation Center (JSA), a performance evaluation organization designated by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The certification officially recognizes the company's Cheonan plant for meeting Japan's rigorous standards in production capacity, manufacturing capabilities, and quality management for structural steel products.
A key contributor to the certification was the BH Automatic Measurement System, jointly developed with POSCO Research Institute. The smart inspection system automatically measures and analyzes dimensional deviations and shape tolerances during BH beam production, significantly improving measurement reliability and inspection precision compared with conventional manual methods. KBI Dongyang Steel Pipe has also expanded the quality management system to seismic-resistant square steel tubes, circular pipes, and other structural products, further strengthening production reliability.
The certification enables the company to officially supply structural steel products to the Japanese market. KBI Dongyang Steel Pipe plans to move beyond supplying individual products by pursuing integrated structural package solutions targeting Japan's high-value-added structural steel market. CEO Kwak-woo Lee said, "Obtaining M-Grade certification is both a strategic foundation for entering the Japanese market and a major milestone in transforming our business into a higher value-added structure. Building on the quality management expertise we have developed in seismic-resistant square tubes and BH production, we aim to become a trusted supplier in Japan's structural steel market."

Samyang Group Acquires Soda Aromatic, One of Japan's Top Five Flavor Companies

Samyang Group has acquired Soda Aromatic, one of Japan's five leading flavor and fragrance companies, as part of its strategy to strengthen its specialty food business. This is Samyang's first Japanese acquisition, and its first overseas production base secured through M&A.
Founded in 1915, Soda Aromatic specializes in food flavorings, cosmetic and fragrance ingredients, and aroma chemicals such as lactones. The company is particularly recognized for its technological expertise in dairy, tea, and coffee flavorings.
The acquisition enables Samyang Group to minimize both the time and risks associated with establishing overseas operations while securing a strategic foothold for expanding throughout Asia—including Japan and China—as well as entering advanced markets such as the U.S. By expanding its food business beyond basic ingredients into flavors and fragrances, Samyang also plans to leverage Soda Aromatic's extensive customer network to create synergies with its strategic businesses, including sugar reduction solutions and dietary fiber products.

Veolia Partners with GS Caltex to Strengthen Environmental Security in Industry

Veolia, a global leader in ecological transformation, has signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding with GS Caltex to strengthen environmental security across Korea's industrial sector. The partnership aims to identify mutually beneficial opportunities across business, environmental, and digital initiatives while advancing utility operations and sustainable management.
Under the partnership, the two companies will collaborate in three key areas. First, Veolia will oversee the integrated operation of GS Caltex's wastewater treatment facilities at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex, promoting wastewater reuse and chemical recovery to enhance environmental performance. Second, the companies will deploy Hubgrade, Veolia's advanced AI-powered digital platform, to accelerate the digital transformation of industrial utility management. Finally, they will optimize plant operations and strengthen utility sharing among neighboring industrial facilities to reduce carbon emissions and improve operational efficiency. Building on more than 25 years of environmental expertise in Korea, Veolia plans to work with GS Caltex to build a more resilient and sustainable industrial future.