Will Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor business gradually improve?

Will Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor business gradually improve? [Exclusive] Samsung Secures 1,800 patents such as ‘3D DRAM and Robots’ in 1Q alone in China ↑

Samsung acquired more than 1,800 patents in China in the first quarter of this year alone. The new patent portfolio includes Samsung’s next-generation technologies, ranging from semiconductors to all-solid-state batteries and robots, laying the groundwork for its new business in China.

According to China’s National Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) on the 3rd, SIPO approved a total of 804 patents filed by Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, Samsung SDI, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics starting in 2021. △560 patents in January △463 patents in February △ 804 patents in March combined, 1,827 patents were granted in the first quarter alone.

According to the patent approval status in March, Samsung Electronics received the most patents among its affiliates. The number of Samsung patents approved by the authority amounted to 499. △ Samsung Display (255 patents), △ Samsung Electro-Mechanics (27 patents), and △ Samsung SDI (23 patents). The company has secured an average of about 26 patents a day.

The patents filed by Samsung Electronics were mainly semiconductor-related technologies. It included related contents such as memory semiconductor design and manufacturing method, packaging technology, and image sensors. In particular, patents related to robots, audio devices, and wireless communication systems were also noticeable. It also secured patents for washing machines and clothing processing devices to strengthen its competitiveness in home appliance technology.

In particular, the company obtained several patents related to 3D semiconductors called “dream memory” in March. There are a total of five patents including 3D semiconductor devices and the method of manufacturing the 3D semiconductor devices (patent number CN117790539A). Samsung Electronics has secured patents for 3D memory semiconductors in China since 2014.

Samsung Electronics plans to unveil 3D DRAM for the first time in the semiconductor industry in 2025. 3D DRAM is a product that increases capacity per unit area by vertically stacking cells, a storage space. As it can process large amounts of data quickly, it is expected to become a core component of the artificial intelligence (AI) era along with high bandwidth memory (HBM).

Samsung SDI obtained the patent titled “Cathode-Solid Electrolytic Protons for All-Solid Secondary Battery, Method of Manufacturing All-Solid Secondary Battery and All-Solid Secondary Battery (patent number CN11776860A).” Securing the patent on all-solid-state batteries is interpreted as a step to prepare for competition with local battery makers before the full-fledged market for all-solid-state batteries opens in China. It is expected to minimize legal disputes over intellectual property rights and gain preoccupation with the market. It has also secured patent rights on how to manufacture cylindrical batteries and cathode materials for secondary batteries.

Patents approved by Samsung Display include △ deposition device (patent number CN117802480A) △ touch inspection device and inspection method of touch sensing modules (patent number CN1177303A). Samsung Electro-Mechanics has been granted patent rights for printed circuit boards, camera modules, and multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs).

Samsung has secured a large number of patent rights in China since the end of last year and is making a drive to strengthen its local technological competitiveness. Based on its close cooperation with SIPO, it is expected to further expand its patent portfolio in the future. Through this, it is expected to discover new future foods and gain an advantage in patent infringement lawsuits in the Chinese market, which is slowing down due to the U.S.-China conflict.