Weekly News Updates: May 21 to May 27, 2025

Synology Eyes India as Key Growth Hub, Plans Local Expansion

Taiwan-based data storage firm Synology has marked India as one of its fastest-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by strong demand from both SMEs and large enterprises. The company has witnessed approximately 30% annual sales growth in India over the past few years, according to Joanne Weng, Director of International Business at Synology. Speaking at Computex 2025 in Taipei, Weng highlighted India’s critical role in the company’s global strategy, with discussions underway for an R&D center and plans to open a local sales office in the coming years. Synology, founded by ex-Microsoft employees Cheen Liao and Philip Wong, offers a wide portfolio of solutions ranging from data storage and backup to video surveillance and file collaboration, with clients spanning media, manufacturing, and government sectors.

At Computex, the company unveiled a robust lineup of enterprise-grade solutions, including PAS7700 and ActiveProtect DP7200 for data protection, C2 Surveillance for video monitoring, and productivity tools like ChatPlus and Synology Meet. These, along with personal cloud offerings such as BeeStation Plus, will be introduced in India as part of a global rollout in the second half of 2025. For non-Indian firms, Synology’s India expansion underscores the market’s growing strategic importance in global IT infrastructure development, offering valuable lessons on tapping into emerging economies with scalable, AI-integrated solutions.

https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry/synology-steps-up-india-focus-in-growth-push/3857016

Editor’s Note: Synology, a Taiwan-based data storage firm, has identified India as a key growth market, experiencing around 30% annual sales growth and planning to establish an R&D center and a local sales office. At Computex 2025, the company introduced advanced enterprise solutions such as PAS7700 for data protection, C2 Surveillance for video monitoring, and productivity tools like ChatPlus, all set to launch in India later this year. Synology’s expansion highlights India’s increasing importance in global IT infrastructure, offering insights for companies aiming to leverage scalable, AI-integrated solutions in emerging markets.

TSMC Declines India’s Semiconductor Offer, PSMC and Tata Step In

India’s ambitions to become a global semiconductor manufacturing hub hit a bump as Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s largest chipmaker, declined an invitation to set up a fabrication plant in the country. The reasons behind TSMC’s refusal remain undisclosed, though the company has similarly declined offers from Qatar and Singapore, choosing instead to expand in countries with more mature ecosystems such as the US, Japan, and Germany. In response, India has turned to other partners, securing a major deal with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), which will collaborate with Tata Electronics to develop a wafer fabrication plant, with Tata leading future operations.

Despite TSMC’s absence, India’s chip sector continues to gain momentum through a mix of domestic and global investments. Six fabrication facilities have been approved, including a new HCL-Foxconn venture in Uttar Pradesh and five more plants under construction, with Tata and PSMC’s Gujarat facility projected to produce 50,000 wafers monthly by 2026. Global firms such as Renesas Electronics and Micron are also investing in assembly and testing units, cementing India’s role in the semiconductor supply chain. For non-Indian companies, this shift highlights India’s rising relevance as an alternative chip manufacturing destination and a strategic opportunity for diversifying global supply chains amid geopolitical uncertainty.

https://www.manufacturingtodayindia.com/tsmc-rejects-indias-chip-hub-invite#:~:text=TSMC%20refused%20the%20invitation%20to,and%20geopolitical%20support%20are%20stronger.

Editor’s Note: Taiwan’s TSMC declined India’s invitation to set up a semiconductor fabrication plant, opting instead to expand in countries with more developed ecosystems like the US, Japan, and Germany. In response, India secured a major partnership with Taiwan’s PSMC and Tata Electronics to develop a wafer fabrication facility, alongside six other approved plants, including an HCL-Foxconn venture. Despite TSMC’s absence, India continues to attract global investments from companies like Renesas and Micron, solidifying its role as an emerging semiconductor manufacturing hub and a key player in global supply chain diversification.

HITS and NTU Develop Breakthrough Solar Catalyst to Turn CO₂ into Green Fuel

In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS), Chennai, in collaboration with National Taiwan University, have developed a photocatalytic system that converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) into valuable renewable fuels using sunlight. Published in the journal Nano Energy, the study introduces a novel ZnS/ZnInS (ZIS) heterostructure photocatalyst that selectively produces acetaldehyde—a precursor for sustainable fuel—under visible light. Developed through a one-pot hydrothermal method, the new material leverages a strain-induced direct Z-scheme mechanism to boost CO₂ conversion efficiency by 200 times over earlier ZnS-based systems. Rigorous isotope labeling confirmed the hydrocarbons generated came directly from CO₂, ensuring scientific credibility and practical promise.

Professor Indrajit Shown of HITS, who led the research alongside Dr. Li-Chyong Chen’s group from NTU, emphasized the project’s focus on real-world climate solutions. The breakthrough supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals and could significantly impact the global push for carbon neutrality. For non-Indian companies, this innovation showcases the potential of international R&D partnerships in green tech and opens opportunities for future collaborations, tech licensing, or joint ventures in carbon capture and renewable fuel industries.

https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/india-taiwan-team-up-on-solar-tech-to-turn-carbon-emissions-into-green-energy-2728258-2025-05-21#google_vignette

Editor’s Note: Researchers at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS) and National Taiwan University (NTU) have developed a groundbreaking ZnS/ZnInS (ZIS) photocatalyst that converts CO₂ into renewable fuel using sunlight, achieving a 200-fold efficiency boost over earlier systems. Published in Nano Energy, the study confirms the scientific validity of the process through isotope labeling and highlights its potential for real-world climate solutions. This breakthrough aligns with UN sustainability goals and opens doors for global R&D collaborations in green technology, carbon capture, and renewable fuel industries.

HorngCom Partners with RRP Electronics to Expand OSAT Operations in India

HorngCom Technology, a division of AMB Taiwan, has announced a strategic collaboration with Mumbai-based RRP Electronics Limited, following a successful technical audit of RRP’s OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility at Mahape. As part of the agreement, HorngCom will assign key semiconductor assembly tasks—including SIM cards, NAND memory chips, MOSFETs, and other IC-related products—to RRP’s upgraded Level 1 production line. The facility will undergo a capacity expansion to accommodate additional workloads and enhance throughput. The partnership is expected to generate approximately USD 12 million in revenue for the current financial year, signaling robust growth and strong demand for advanced semiconductor packaging services.

The alliance underscores India’s emerging role as a global hub for semiconductor services, particularly in the OSAT segment. With further joint initiatives on the horizon, both companies are eyeing long-term collaboration aimed at technological innovation and scalability. For non-Indian companies, this partnership highlights India’s readiness in advanced semiconductor infrastructure and its growing appeal as a destination for high-value chip packaging and testing services—offering opportunities for strategic alliances, supply chain diversification, and entry into a fast-growing electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

https://cxotoday.com/press-release/horngcom-taiwan-collaborates-with-rrp-electronics-to-expand-osat-capabilities-in-india

Editor’s Note: HorngCom Technology has partnered with Mumbai-based RRP Electronics to expand OSAT operations in India, assigning key semiconductor assembly tasks to RRP’s upgraded facility and projecting USD 12 million in revenue this year. The collaboration highlights India’s growing semiconductor packaging capabilities, with both companies planning long-term initiatives focused on innovation and scalability. This alliance strengthens India’s position as a global semiconductor hub, attracting strategic investments and offering new opportunities for supply chain diversification in electronics manufacturing.

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Apple if iPhones Aren’t Made in the U.S.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning on Truth Social, stating that Apple would face a 25% tariff if iPhones sold in the U.S. are not manufactured domestically. “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones… be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump wrote. The announcement triggered a 2.5% drop in Apple’s premarket shares and pulled U.S. stock index futures lower. Apple has not yet responded publicly, and it remains unclear whether Trump—if elected—could unilaterally impose such a company-specific tariff.

Apple has been expanding its manufacturing footprint in India, which it expects will supply the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. during the June quarter, amid ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions. For non-Indian companies, this development underlines the growing risks of geopolitical trade policies and reinforces the strategic importance of diversifying supply chains. India’s role as an alternative manufacturing hub continues to gain momentum, presenting opportunities for global firms seeking resilience against future tariff shocks and political unpredictability.

https://ddnews.gov.in/en/trump-warns-apple-of-25-tariffs-if-iphones-not-made-in-us/#:~:text=U.S.%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20said,U.S.%20stock%20index%20futures%20lower.

Editor’s Note: Former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Apple could face a 25% tariff if iPhones sold in the U.S. are not manufactured domestically, causing a drop in Apple’s premarket shares and market uncertainty. Meanwhile, Apple continues expanding its manufacturing in India, highlighting the strategic need for supply chain diversification amid geopolitical risks.

India to Roll Out 72,000 EV Charging Stations Under ₹2,000 Crore PM E-Drive Initiative

In a landmark move to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption, the Indian government has announced the installation of approximately 72,000 public EV charging stations nationwide. Backed by a ₹2,000 crore investment under the PM E-Drive initiative, the infrastructure will be strategically deployed across 50 key national highway routes and high-footfall areas, including metro cities, toll plazas, airports, railway stations, petrol pumps, and major state road networks. The initiative was unveiled following a high-level meeting chaired by Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy, with officials from key ministries in attendance to coordinate the multi-agency effort.

This large-scale rollout aims to eliminate range anxiety among potential EV users and support India’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable mobility. The government envisions the PM E-Drive as a cornerstone in building energy security and driving green economic growth. For non-Indian companies, this presents significant opportunities in EV supply chains, charging technologies, infrastructure partnerships, and market entry strategies, as India positions itself as one of the world’s most dynamic EV markets.

https://ackodrive.com/news/big-2-000-crore-push-for-72-000-ev-charging-points-across-india

Editor’s Note: India is set to deploy 72,000 EV charging stations nationwide under the ₹2,000 crore PM E-Drive initiative, strategically covering highways, metro cities, and key transport hubs to accelerate clean mobility adoption. This large-scale rollout aims to eliminate range anxiety and drive sustainable economic growth, positioning India as a leading EV market. For foreign companies, especially from Taiwan, this expansion presents major opportunities in supply chain integration, advanced battery technology, and charging infrastructure development.