Fueled by an AI-driven inventory stocking frenzy across the supply chain, TrendForce reveals that Q2 revenue for the top 10 global IC design powerhouses soared to US $381 billion, marking a 125% quarterly increase In this rising tide, NVIDIA seized the crown, officially dethroning Qualcomm as the world's premier IC design house, while the remainder of the leaderboard remained stable
AI charges ahead, buoying IC design performance amid a seasonal stocking slump
NVIDIA is reaping the rewards of a global transformation Bolstered by the global demand from CSPs, internet behemoths, and enterprises diving into generative AI and large language models, NVIDIA's data center revenue skyrocketed by a whopping 105% A deluge of shipments, including the likes of their advanced Hopper and Ampere architecture HGX systems and the high-performing InfinBand, played a pivotal role Beyond that, both gaming and professional visualization sectors thrived under the allure of fresh product launches Clocking a Q2 revenue of US$1133 billion (a 683% surge), NVIDIA has vaulted over both Qualcomm and Broadcom to seize the IC design throne
Qualcomm's Q2 took a hit as the Android smartphone sector grappled with dwindling demand and Apple's modem pre-purchases resulted in a subdued seasonal rhythm Consequently, their revenue slid by 97%, rounding off at about US$717 billion Broadcom, while benefiting from AI-ignited demand for high-end switches and routers, faced headwinds with revenue drops in server storage, broadband, and wireless The result was a second-quarter revenue that essentially mirrored the previous quarter at around US$69 billion
AMD's Q2 performance plateaued at about $536 billion, weighed down by a slump in gaming GPU sales and its embedded segment operations Conversely, MediaTek, after several quarters of inventory recalibration, witnessed a resurgence with components like TV SoCs and Wi-Fi stabilizing The added impetus of urgent TV orders and escalating shipments for mobile phones, smart platforms, and power management ICs boosted MediaTek's Q2 to a solid US$32 billion
Marvell, though buoyed by AI deployments in data centers, faced headwinds with a decline in On-Premise Servers (enterprise private clouds) End-user demand remained frail, and with sectors like data centers, telecom infrastructure, and enterprise networking facing revenue drops, Marvell's Q2 took a 14% hit, culminating at roughly $133 billion
Taiwan's IC design stalwart Novatek flourished as customers replenished TV-related inventories and ushered in novel products such as OLED DDI Realtek, drawing strength from supply chain restocking of PC/NB-centric ICs, reported quarterly growths of 247% and 326%, respectively Yet, without substantial signs of a holistic revival in end-sales and inventory restocking, growth in H2 seems set to face challenges
Will Semiconductor secured the ninth spot with a Q2 revenue of $528 million, registering a modest decline of about 19% Hot on its heels is the US-based power IC maestro, MPS, with its Q2 revenue tallying up to $441 million—a slip of approximately 22%
Peering into Q3, while inventory levels across companies paint a rosier picture than H1, a pervasive end-user demand slump urges caution However, a silver lining emerges with CSPs, internet titans, and private firms flocking to generative AI and large language models As these high-value AI offerings gain traction, TrendForce projects that the top ten global IC design giants will continue their double-digit ascent in Q3, potentially reaching record-breaking figures
For more information on reports and market data from TrendForce’s Department of Semiconductor Research, please click here, or email Ms Latte Chung from the Sales Department at lattechung@trendforcecom
For additional insights from TrendForce analysts on the latest tech industry news, trends, and forecasts, please visit our blog at https://insidertrendforcecom/
Leveraging the superior conversion efficiency of N-type cells, the rise of cost-effective TOPCon cell technology in 2022 has seen N-type cell technology rapidly expand, inviting many solar industry participants into the competition Currently, PERC cell technology (for producing P-type cells) stands as the market's mainstay However, with the step-by-step realization of large-scale N-type cell capacities, there looms a risk that a substantial part of PERC cell technology capacities may be phased out within the forthcoming two to three years Concurrently, based on TrendForce’s analysis, as N-type cell capacities incrementally come online, there might be a sporadic shortage of high-quality silicon materials and wafers tailored for N-type cells This could further establish a noticeable price disparity between N-type silicon and wafers, and their P-type counterparts
Silicon supply remains abundant, but the price gap between P-type and N-type continues to widen
By 2023's end, it is projected that the total production capacity of polysilicon will reach 2072 million tons, an increase of 686% YoY The actual output of silicon materials is expected to be about 1483 million tons, sufficient to support over 600 GW of solar panel consumption (given a silicon consumption rate of 0245 tons/GW) This aligns with an annual installation demand of approximately 370-390 GW, indicating a clear oversupply of silicon As the market leans towards N-type cell technology, P-type silicon may face oversupply, causing its price to drop faster Conversely, robust demand and limited output for N-type silicon might create periodic shortages, stabilizing its price For silicon firms, N-type silicon offers better profitability
Surging demand for N-type cell slices drives silicon wafer makers to swiftly pivot
By the end of 2023, silicon wafer production capacity is projected to reach approximately 9216 GW, reflecting a 642% year-on-year growth Driven by the increasing demand for N-type cell wafers, silicon wafer manufacturers are rapidly transitioning to N-type production and ramping up their output With the inclusion of rectangular silicon wafers occupying a portion of this capacity, certain dimensions of P-type wafers might experience short-term supply shortages, potentially failing to meet immediate demands If the N-type cell rollout falls short of expectations, there remains a risk of N-type wafer oversupply Additionally, amid intensified industry competition and considering factors such as technological prowess, availability of high-purity quartz sand, and consistent supply of top-quality silicon wafers, leading companies like Longi and CMC are set to further elevate their competitive edge
N-cell capacity deployment sees delays; PERC tech likely to remain dominant this year
The projected total wafer capacity by 2023's end is estimated to reach around 1,172 GW, marking a 106% increase year-on-year The majority of this newly added capacity is attributed to N-type TOPCon cell technology By the end of the year, N-type wafer capacity is expected to reach 676 GW, accounting for 577% of the total However, TrendForce has observed some delays in the actual deployment of N-type cell capacity Given the existing price difference between N-P type wafers, PERC technology is anticipated to retain its leading position in the market this year, although the penetration rate of TOPCon cells will accelerate
China expected to hold 80–85% of global solar panel capacity in 2023
Estimations for 2023 indicate that the worldwide solar panel capacity could reach an astounding 1,034 GW, marking a 647% increase year-on-year Of this, approximately 3354 GW represents newly added capacity, predominantly driven by Chinese enterprises With Western countries and India progressively launching policies supporting local manufacturing, a growing number of Chinese firms are contemplating setting up production capacities overseas to sidestep trade barriers TrendForce reports leading Chinese solar panel manufacturers like Longi, JinkoSolar, JA Solar, and TrinaSolar have successively expanded their operations to areas including the US, Europe, and the Middle East Given the matured technology and cost-effective production of Chinese manufacturers and considering the nascent state of the solar supply chains overseas and the elevated costs of expansion, it remains challenging for enterprises from other regions to join the competition As such, TrendForce believes that the global competitive landscape for solar panels won't see any marked changes in the near term, maintaining China's dominant position with an anticipated 80-85% capacity share in 2023
For more information on reports and market data from TrendForce’s Department of Green Energy Research, please click here, or email Ms Grace Li from the Sales Department at graceli@trendforcecom
For additional insights from TrendForce analysts on the latest tech industry news, trends, and forecasts, please visit our blog at https://insidertrendforcecom/
TrendForce anticipates that by 2026, the global tally of public charging stations will soar to 16 million, marking an impressive threefold increase from 2023 figures As this unfolds, the global ownership of NEVs—which includes both PHEVs and BEVs—will surge to 96 million This sets the vehicle-to-charger ratio at 6:1, a significant drop from the 10:1 ratio observed in 2021 Notably, major players like China are paving the way; having set ambitious goals to achieve a vehicle-to-charger ratio of 2:1 by 2030, China is unquestionably a driving force in the global push to reduce this ratio
Europe is steaming ahead with its net-zero blueprint, targeting the construction of a whopping 17 million charging stations by 2030 America, though, presents a contrasting picture With a little over 200,000 charging stations currently, the Biden administration aspires to hit the 500,000 mark by 2026 Unfortunately, this will coincide with a projected NEV count of 15 million, exacerbating the vehicle-to-charger ratio to 32:1 Around the same period, Europe and China are projected to sport more modest ratios of approximately 9:1 and 4:1, respectively Using Europe’s ratio as a yardstick, the US charging infrastructure ambition may need to be bolstered by at least three to four times
NEV owners globally grapple with a maze of charging standards Prominent among these are the US standard CCS1 (Combo), the European standard CCS2 (Combo), Japan’s CHAdeMO, China’s GB/T, and Tesla’s NACS standard Europe and China offer a simpler scenario for their citizens by adhering to a single domestic standard In contrast, the US is a battleground, with both CCS1 and NACS standards vying for dominance While adapters provide a temporary bridge between the two, the rapid rise of NACS kindles apprehension among CCS1 aficionados about their future stake
A diverse array of charging standards across the globe means charging equipment manufacturers must adopt flexible product strategies to cater to different market specifications Spotlighting Taiwanese firms: Hotron Precision’s charging cables, Longwell’s and SINBOS’s integrated charging systems are all laying tracks across GB/T, CCS1, and CCS2 standards A feather in the cap for Hotron Precision is its induction into Tesla’s supply chain, while Longwell and SINBON primarily cater to North American charging enterprises Riding the wave, following proclamations by giants like Ford, GM, and Volvo favoring the NACS standard in North America, charging station behemoths like Zerova and LITEON have thrown their hats into the NACS ring
From 2025, the landscape will shift dramatically as countries step on the gas to phase out gasoline-fueled vehicles While the ramp-up of charging station infrastructure still lags, auto giants are bracing themselves to spearhead the charging station market boom Case in point: Titans like GM, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, HONDA, Hyundai-Kia, and Stellantis are joining forces to spin off dedicated charging infrastructure companies Furthermore, TrendForce offers a nugget of advice for Taiwanese manufacturers: to stay ahead of the curve and serve North American clientele more effectively, consider setting up shop locally With Pegatron and Delta Electronics already marking their territory in Texas, the focus for Taiwanese firms should be on nimbleness and adaptability, ensuring they remain unshackled by a single standard
For additional insights from TrendForce analysts on the latest tech industry news, trends, and forecasts, please visit our blog at https://insidertrendforcecom/
Australian mining company, Liontown Resources Ltd, has just announced it’s agreed to a buyout proposal of AUD 66 billion (USD 43 billion) by US lithium producer Albemarle Corp (ALB) TrendForce’s latest “2023 Global Li-Ion Battery Industry Chain Market Supply and Demand Report,” indicates that global lithium production in 2022 hit approximately 860,000 tons of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) ALB, with its diverse lithium portfolio (spodumene, lithium salt, and tolling), accounted for over 180,000 tons of LCE Predictions for 2023 spotlight a global lithium production reaching 121 million tons LCE, and ALB is set to churn out 200,000 tons of that, holding firmly onto the lead with its 17% market share
TrendForce reports that ALB has strategically secured the planet’s most abundant, high-quality, and cost-efficient reserves of lithium salt lake and minerals across regions like Chile, Australia, and the US Moreover, when it comes to lithium refinement, ALB emerges as the global titan with the world’s greatest lithium salt production capacity As it stands, ALB’s annual production capacity for lithium hydroxide reaches 110,000 tons, accounting for 23% of the world’s entire production
With ambitions to acquire Australian miner Liontown, ALB set to command the world’s largest lithium resources
Liontown, a key supplier of Australia’s battery minerals, holds the reins to two major hard rock lithium deposits: Kathleen Valley and Buldania These areas boast lithium reserves of 156 million tons (54 million tons LCE) and 149 million tons (370,000 tons LCE), respectively As Kathleen Valley gears up for completion by the end of 2023, its inaugural production phase is set to roll out by 2Q24, targeting an annual yield of 500,000 tons of lithium spodumene concentrate And that’s just the start, with plans to elevate this figure to a whopping 700,000 tons annually On the other hand, the Buldania project is still in its nascent stage, focused on exploration and surveying
Should ALB’s acquisition of Liontown materialize, it would cement its control of global lithium resources and bolster its lithium salt production framework Yet, ALB isn’t the sole player in this vast industry Major lithium producers, including SQM, Tianqi Lithium, Ganfeng Lithium, Yahua Industrial, Chengxin Lithium, and Livent, are fervently ramping up their production capabilities in lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide
Lithium, the backbone of modern tech, is set to see its global demand skyrocket TrendForce’s insights reveal a bustling 2022 with around 40 lithium mining projects worldwide After 2025, the number of projects in production will increase to a staggering 100+ To safeguard their global dominance and sharpen their competitive edge, lithium chemical producers are strategically aligning with upstream lithium miners to secure lithium resources Case in point: Livent’s recent merger with Allkem in May of this year and ALB’s designs on Liontown This momentum signifies a trend toward a more consolidated global lithium resource landscape, with mergers and acquisitions becoming the norm in upcoming years
For more information on reports and market data from TrendForce’s Department of Green Energy Research, please click here, or email Ms Grace Li from the Sales Department at graceli@trendforcecom
For additional insights from TrendForce analysts on the latest tech industry news, trends, and forecasts, please visit our blog at https://insidertrendforcecom/
1 Market Supply-Demand Forecast for Key Battery Metals
I Lithium (Li)
The Distribution of Global Lithium Resources
The Distribution of China Lithium Resources
Global Lithium Mine Production Trends
Global Lithium Mine Supply Pattern
Global Lithium Product Supply Pattern
Major Lithium Salt Suppliers: Production Capacity and Plans
Overview of Lithium Salt Production and Sales by Major Suppliers
Global Supply Forecast for Lithium Products from 2022 to 2027
Breakdown of Downstream Demand for Lithium Product
Forecast for Global Lithium Product Demand from 2022 to 2027
Analysis of Global Lithium Product Supply-Demand and Price Forecast from 2022 to 2027
II Cobalt (Co)
The Distribution of Global Cobalt Resources
Global Cobalt Mine Supply Pattern
Competition Landscape of Cobalt Mine Suppliers
Global Refined Cobalt Supply Pattern
Cobalt Production Capacity and Output of Major Suppliers
Global Supply Forecast for Cobalt Product from 2022 to 2027
Breakdown of Downstream Demand for Cobalt Product
Forecast for Global Cobalt Product Demand from 2022 to 2027
Analysis of Global Cobalt Product Supply-Demand and Price Forecast from 2022 to 2027
III Nickel (Ni)
The Distribution of Global Nickel Resources
Global Nickel Mine Supply Pattern
Global Nickel Product Supply Pattern
Competition Landscape of Nickel Suppliers
Nickel Product Production Volume of Major Suppliers
Nickel Sulfate Production Capacity and Planning of Major Suppliers
Global Supply Forecast for Nickel Products from 2022 to 2027
Breakdown of Downstream Demand for Nickel Product
Forecast for Global Nickel Product Demand from 2022 to 2027
Analysis of Global Nickel Product Supply-Demand and Price Forecast from 2022 to 2027
2 Market Supply-Demand Forecast for Key LiB Materials
Cathode Material and Precursor (CAM& PCAM)
Anode Material
Separator
Electrolyte
3 Market Supply-Demand Forecast for LiB
EV LiB
ESS LiB
Mobility & IT LiB
