Wafer

Dutch chipmaker Nexperia has suspended wafer shipments to its Chinese assembly plant in Dongguan, a move that could intensify the semiconductor supply crunch already rattling automakers worldwide.

The suspension, revealed in a company letter dated October 29 and signed by interim CEO Stefan Tilger, followed the Chinese unit’s failure to meet contractual payment terms. It comes amid escalating tensions after the Dutch government seized control of Nexperia from its Chinese owner, Wingtech Technology, in late September, citing national security and governance concerns.

Why It Matters

The halt threatens to disrupt automotive and electronics supply chains at a critical time. Around 70% of Nexperia’s chips produced in the Netherlands are packaged in China, meaning the freeze could ripple through global manufacturing networks.

The dispute also underscores the deepening fractures in global tech supply chains, where national security concerns and trade controls increasingly shape corporate decisions. With the U.S., China, and Europe tightening technology restrictions, Nexperia’s situation reflects the mounting geopolitical tug-of-war over semiconductor control.

Nexperia (Netherlands): Seeking to maintain operations while asserting independence from Chinese influence.

Wingtech Technology (China): The former owner now sidelined after Dutch government intervention.

Dutch Government: Exercising sovereignty over critical tech assets amid Western security coordination.

Chinese Ministry of Commerce: Blocking Nexperia’s chip exports from China in retaliation.

Global Automakers: Companies like Stellantis and Nissan are monitoring potential production halts as chip prices soar.

What’s Next

Nexperia says it is developing alternative supply routes to support its global customers but has not disclosed details. The Dongguan facility remains operational, though limited by the wafer cutoff.

Analysts expect further trade retaliation from Beijing, potentially deepening the rift between European and Chinese semiconductor ecosystems. Automakers warn of possible shortages by mid-November if shipments do not resume.

Implications

This episode highlights how state intervention in technology firms is reshaping global supply chains. The Dutch government’s takeover framed as a national security move signals Europe’s growing alignment with U.S. export controls targeting Chinese tech entities.

In the short term, the halt could spike chip prices and strain automotive production, particularly in Asia and Europe. Long term, it may accelerate a strategic decoupling between Western and Chinese semiconductor manufacturing bases.

Politically, this marks a test of Europe’s resolve to protect critical tech sectors even at the cost of trade friction with Beijing.

With information from an exclusive Reuters report.

SEOUL, Oct. 13 (UPI) — South Korean chemical giant OCI Holdings said Monday it will enter the solar wafer business to target the U.S. market by acquiring a facility being built in Vietnam.

Toward that end, its subsidiary, OCI TerraSus, plans to spend $78 million to purchase a 65% stake in a 2.7-gigawatt wafer plant from Elite Solar Power Wafer, which is scheduled for completion by the end of this month.

OCI Holdings expects the factory to start rolling out wafers early next year, without having to worry about U.S. tax-credit restrictions.

A solar wafer is a tin slice of crystalline silicon that serves as the primary building block for manufacturing solar cells.

The United States introduced legislation in early July barring prohibited foreign entities from receiving clean energy tax credits. These are entities controlled or significantly influenced by such nations as North Korea, China, Russia and Iran.

OCI Holdings projected that the deal would create synergy because OCI TerraSus is set to provide all the polysilicon needed for the new facility to manufacture non-prohibited foreign entity wafers.

The Seoul-based corporation said the plant’s capacity could be doubled within six months with an additional $40 million investment. However, it has yet to decide whether to proceed with the expansion.

“This strategic investment brings us closer to building a supply chain that facilitates U.S. exports,” OCI Holdings Chairman Lee Woo-hyun said in a statement. “We will continue to strengthen our presence in the global solar market by fostering partnerships with local companies in Southeast Asia.”

In July, OCI TerraSus joined hands with Japan’s Tokuyama to channel $435 million into establishing a semiconductor-grade polysilicon factory in Malaysia. Each company holds a 50% stake in the project.

France back-row Axelle Berthoumieu has been cited for an alleged bite on Ireland’s Aoife Wafer in Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final.

France were trailing 13-0 at the time of the incident but recovered to take the win and will face England next.

Any retrospective action after a citing review could see the French back row handed a ban that may rule her out of the semi-final.

READ MORE: ‘Disgrace’ – France player cited after alleged bite

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Women’s Rugby World Cup – Pool C: Ireland v New Zealand

Venue: Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium Date: Sunday, 7 September Kick-off: 14:45 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 14:30, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 14:30 and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 14:00; also live with text commentary on the BBC Sport website.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says he is “confident” Aoife Wafer will be ready for a World Cup quarter-final after resisting the urge to include her for Sunday’s final Pool C game against New Zealand in Brighton.

The back row is yet to feature in the competition because of pre-tournament knee surgery and although she was considered for Sunday’s game against the defending champions, the Irish camp has erred on the side of caution.

Bemand confirmed there was a temptation to introduce the Wexford woman for the meeting with the Black Ferns, but with either France or South Africa to come next week, having the Women’s Six Nations player of the tournament ready for then takes priority.

“All the way through there has been a bit of a plan around Aoife, from the very beginning to her joining up with the group a couple of days after we arrived, and everything is tracking and trending,” Bemand said.

“Aoife is back in training, she’s doing well, and she’s desperate to be involved.

“We considered picking her this week, but we’ve made a decision as her best opportunity and the team’s best opportunity, is to go hard in training again next week and we’ll see where that stands us for the following week.

“I’m really confident and if you look in her eyes you can see she is really confident as well.”

Aoife Wafer has been ruled out of Ireland’s opening Women’s Rugby World Cup match against Japan as she continues her comeback from knee surgery.

The 2025 Women’s Six Nations player of the tournament underwent a procedure last month which caused her to miss Ireland’s warm-up games against Scotland and Canada and she has not yet travelled to England with her team-mates.

The 22-year-old back row was named in head coach Scott Bemand’s squad last week but is not fit enough to feature against Japan on Sunday (12:00 BST) and has remained in Dublin to work on her recovery.

As per the rules of the competition, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) had to inform World Rugby that Wafer had not departed with the squad as players cannot return home during the tournament window to treat injuries as it would be viewed as unfair on those squads who have greater distances to travel.

Following their opener in Fraklin’s Gardens, Ireland face Spain on 31 August and back-to-back world champions New Zealand on 7 September in their other Pool C games and the side’s assistant coach Larissa Muldoon confirmed that Wafer will join the team next week” in preparation looking into Spain.”

Co-captain Edel McMahon, who also did not feature in either of Ireland’s warm-up fixtures, is with the squad and according to Muldoon “came through training” on Tuesday with no issues.

Wafer, who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the tournament in England, scored four tries for Ireland in the Six Nations but missed the last game of the championship after damaging knee ligaments against Wales.

Her fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to fellow back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup.

Muldoon, however, has confidence in Ireland’s depth at the position.

“People forget the like of Claire Boles have come back in, Ivana Kiripati has come through the under-20s pathway,” added the former international scrum-half.

“[We have] amazing players coming through and giving us that element of competition in our training environment and identity.”

Ireland forward Aoife Wafer has been named the Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship for 2025.

The back row earned 41% of a fans’ vote, edging out France second row Manae Feleu by just 333 votes.

The other players on the four-woman shortlist were England wing Abby Dow and Scotland back row Evie Gallagher, and over 18,500 votes were cast.

Wafer finished as the joint second-highest try scorer in the Six Nations with four – matching the most by any forward in the tournament.

That took her tally to 12 tries in 15 caps for Ireland.

In addition, she made 70 carries, the most by any player, covering 424.7 metres and beating 17 defenders – the second-highest total for a forward.

The 22-year-old’s performances helped Ireland secure third place in the competition.

Wafer was also named on the team of the tournament alongside team-mates Neve Jones and Aoife Dalton.