Data released Friday by South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT showed that, driven by sustained global investment in AI, the country's July exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products surged 140.6% YoY. July ICT export value reached $53.4 billion, up from $22.2 billion a year earlier. The ministry said this was the highest July figure on record. South Korea's July ICT imports rose 37.3% YoY to $18.3 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $35.1 billion. By product, driven by strong demand for AI-related chips, semiconductor exports soared 178.8% YoY to $41 billion, extending their growth streak to 17 consecutive months. Exports of computers and communications equipment soared 353.9% YoY to $4.9 billion, and mobile phone exports rose 62.6% YoY to $1.6 billion. By destination, combined exports to China and Hong Kong surged 194.7% YoY. Exports to the US jumped 187% YoY, exports to Vietnam rose 115.7% YoY, exports to the EU grew 202% YoY, and exports to India increased 128.2% YoY.

LG Electronics said Friday that it plans to launch a next-generation humanoid robot in Q1 2027 that is based on NVIDIA’s robotics platform and features bipedal walking capability. The robot will be equipped with the NVIDIA Jetson Thor robotics chip module and will be developed based on the NVIDIA Isaac GR00T humanoid robot foundation model and the Holoscan for Robotics robot safety system. LG plans to integrate the technologies and capabilities of its key subsidiaries into the robot, including actuators from LG Electronics, sensors from LG Innotek, and batteries from LG Energy Solution. In addition, the two companies will pursue comprehensive cooperation across three areas: robotics, AI factories, and mobility.

TrendForce data showed that on August 14, the average spot prices of memory chips were as follows: DDR5 16Gb (2Gx8) 4800/5600 (unchanged day on day), DDR4 16Gb (2Gx8) 3200 (up 0.56% day on day), and DDR4 8Gb (1Gx8) 3200 (up 0.25% day on day).

An upbeat outlook from SanDisk (SNDK.O) boosted optimism about long-term earnings from the AI boom, and Asian memory chip stocks rose. Shares of SanDisk partner Kioxia Holdings rose as much as 8.7% in Tokyo, while shares of memory maker SK Hynix rose as much as 6.5% in Seoul. The Bloomberg Asia Semiconductor Stock Index rose as much as 1.6% and was on track for a fifth consecutive session of gains. SanDisk previously said it expects revenue to grow 15% to 20% from 2028 to 2030, driven by long-term pricing agreements with clients. Andrew Jackson, head of Japanese equities at Ortus Advisors, wrote: “A few years ago, it was unheard of for NAND flash makers to make such accurate long-term forecasts. Compared with more volatile spot memory prices, long-term agreements may help smooth out the classic boom/bust cycle.”

[SMM Tin Midday Review: Weak Supply and Demand Combined with Macro Expectations Game, SHFE Tin Consolidates Above 420,000 yuan/mt]

Zimbabwe's lithium producers have committed approximately $1.45 billion to local beneficiation infrastructure, Lithium Producers Association Chairman Innocent Rukweza said at the Mine Entra Beneficiation and Value Addition Symposium in Bulawayo. The industry is seeking government flexibility on the pending unbeneficiated spodumene export restriction, citing limited sulphate-plant readiness. Of seven major producers, only Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe's Huayou-linked Arcadia plant ($400 million) has commissioned sulphate conversion, exporting Africa's first locally produced lithium sulphate in April 2026. Sinomine's $500 million Bikita plant remains under construction; Kamativi Mining Company's $200 million-plus project is at investment stage; a fourth facility targets end-2027. Concentrate exports move CIF China via Beira and Durban, with grid instability and border/rail congestion at Machipanda, Beitbridge-Durban and Maputo adding risk to export timelines. The industry's effective tax burden is estimated at ~40% of sales revenue (10% export tax, 7% royalties, 3% community levy, 1% MMCZ fee, 15.5% VAT), which the association has called SMM View: Zimbabwe's beneficiation drive remains a one-plant story Arcadia commissioned, three others still at construction or investment stage. Grid reliability and corridor congestion, not capital alone, will determine how fast that gap closes.