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China Pavilion Wows Visitors at Osaka Expo

OSAKA, Japan, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Since its officially opening on April 13, the Osaka World Expo’s China Pavilion has become one of the most popular attractions at the Expo. By incorporating traditional Chinese cultural elements such as bamboo slips, Chinese characters, and scrolls and presenting exhibits that connect the past, present, and future, the China Pavilion boasts the theme of “Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature—Future Society of Green Development.” As of the end of April, it had received nearly 90,000 visitors, over 5,700 per day on average and 8,000 on weekends.

China Pavilion Wows Visitors at Osaka Expo
China Pavilion Wows Visitors at Osaka Expo

The China Pavilion consists of three segments: “Harmony between Humanity and Nature” “Green Mountains and Clear Waters” and “Endless Life.”

The “Harmony between Humanity and Nature” section highlights China’s ancient ecological wisdom, which emphasizes respect and reverence for nature. It features a large multimedia display themed around the 24 solar terms and a digital presentation of Pictures of Tilling and Weaving, the world’s earliest agricultural encyclopedia. By using modern technology, it showcases replicas of iconic artifacts such as the oracle bones unearthed in Xiaotun Village, the He Zun, and the copper plates of the imperial edict on unifying weights and measures of the Qin dynasty, as well as key archaeological sites like Sanxingdui, Liangzhu, and Yinxu.

The “Green Mountains and Clear Waters” section explains China’s ecological philosophy. Through multimedia installations, it features projects such as the Dujiangyan irrigation system, the world’s earliest water conservancy project, the 2,500-year-old mulberry-dike fishpond system and so on.

The “Endless Life” section focuses on China’s breakthroughs in deep space exploration, deep sea research and artificial intelligence. Highlights include the first-ever close-up comparison display of soil from the moon’s far side and near side, live video interaction between Chinese astronauts in the Tiangong Space Station and expo visitors, a simulated cabin of the Jiaolong deep-sea submersible showing rare footage from 7,062 meters below the sea, and an AI model that brings the beloved mythological figure Sun Wukong to life and discusses past and present topics with visitors, composing poems, and creating art.

The China Pavilion has hosted various events that promote Kunqu Opera and the 24 solar terms, as well as Chinese companies including iFLYTEK and COSCO. In the coming months, dozens of Chinese provinces, regions, and municipalities will bring their amazing exhibits and performances to make the pavilion even a bigger draw.

Photo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/china_pavilion_wows_visitors_osaka_expo.jpg

 

Hangzhou, China: Connecting International Youth to Museums Through Technology


HANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2025 – From April 23 to 25, the Third UNESCO High-Level Forum for Museums was held in Hangzhou. Gathering over 190 museum directors, experts, and institutional representatives from more than 60 countries and regions around the world, the forum focused on in-depth discussions around key topics, including “The Evolution and Transformative Role of Museums”, “The Application of Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence”, and “The Role of Museums as Educational Carriers and Lifelong Learning Platforms”. The outcomes of the forum will be presented at the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development to be held in Spain in September 2025.

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This forum was not only a professional cultural gathering but also a vibrant cross-cultural dialogue among youth. During the forum’s activities, Aymene, a Generation Z student from Morocco studying in Hangzhou, visited sites such as Liangzhu Museum, personally experiencing how digital technology is reshaping museums – a vivid demonstration of international youth’s innovative approach to “unlocking museums”.

At Liangzhu Museum, Aymene engaged with the “Liangzhu Ancestors AI Face Swap Generator”, where artificial intelligence created a personal portrait infused with Liangzhu cultural elements. In front of the camera, he exclaimed, “It truly generated an AI image of me in the style of Liangzhu!” With the integration of AI, museums are no longer just places to observe history but have evolved into platforms to converse with history. Technology has rendered traditional culture tangible, approachable, and playful.

Moroccan youth Aymene engaged with the "Liangzhu Ancestors AI Face Swap Generator" at Liangzhu Museum, using artificial intelligence to create a personal portrait infused with Liangzhu cultural elements.
Moroccan youth Aymene engaged with the “Liangzhu Ancestors AI Face Swap Generator” at Liangzhu Museum, using artificial intelligence to create a personal portrait infused with Liangzhu cultural elements.

Another highlight was the AR headset tour. Aymene marveled at how it “broke the limits of perception”. With a simple gesture, pottery and jade cong artifacts from 5,000 years ago leapt vividly before his eyes, accompanied by clear explanations of their functions, craftsmanship, and historical backgrounds. Regarding these technological displays of cultural heritage, Aymene remarked, “They have turned 5,000-year-old cultural symbols into a universal language for the world. With cultural continuity enhanced by technological innovation, it’s no wonder that this homegrown AR headset from Hangzhou won the admiration of museum directors from around the globe.”

Through the lens of international youth, this forum raised an inspiring question: “How can Generation Z and museums achieve mutual engagement?” The answers are gradually emerging: telling artifact stories through short videos, and reviving ancient ruins with AI—these approaches not only dissolve the boundaries of space and perception but also reshape how people connect with cultural heritage.

To Gen Z, museums aren’t dusty relics—they’re a fleeting moment in history’s river, a high-five across the expanse of time. With the advance of digital technologies and the growing cultural consciousness among global youth, future museums may evolve from being mere repositories of the past into laboratories for the future.

From “understanding” to “participating,” from “passive reception” to “active engagement,” international youth are redefining the way to unlock museums. This vibrant dialogue across the world is breathing new life into museums, opening up infinite possibilities for the future.

Hashtag: #Hangzhou

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Gorilla Technology Releases Full Year Audited Financials for 2024


London, United Kingdom – Newsfile Corp. – April 30, 2025 – Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GRRR) (“Gorilla” or the “Company”), a global solution provider in Security Intelligence, Network Intelligence, Business Intelligence and IoT technology, today announced that the filing of its full-year audited financials for the year ended 31 December 2024 on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will be made today after market close.

Jay Chandan, Chairman and CEO, commented: “2024 was the year we moved from transformation to acceleration. We have cemented our position in the AI ecosystem, and we are building the digital infrastructure that will power governments and enterprises for the next decade. Over the last 18 months, we have rapidly expanded across the globe – from Southeast Asia to India to the Middle East. We are also building strong momentum in Europe, North America and Latin America. We have built a business development engine which is underpinned by model of efficient deployment and long-term partnership. Our sales pipeline is strong, our operations are streamlined, and we are confident as we look to the future, even in the midst of a challenging macroeconomic environment.”

Mr. Chandan continued, “The strength of our audited financials reflects the discipline, scale and ambition with which we are running the business. Our commitment to accuracy in financial reporting and disclosure reinforces that Gorilla stands on solid ground – operationally, financially and ethically.”

Gorilla’s 20-F will reflect the following updates to its financial controls and reporting:

  • Gorilla has fully remediated all previously reported material weaknesses. This includes upgrading its financial systems, hiring experienced talent and strengthening its internal governance.
  • Gorilla is fully Sarbanes-Oxley compliant, following extensive work with an external consultant, underscoring the depth and rigor of the Company’s internal controls and processes, as well as its maturity as a U.S.-listed company.

Bruce Bower, Interim CFO, added, “We are pleased to progress our financial imperatives. Looking ahead, Gorilla will continue to uphold the rigor, discipline and integrity that this filing has demonstrated and confirms. The foundation is in place, and we are well-positioned to scale for the long-term. With a clear strategy, exceptional leadership and relentless execution, we believe Gorilla represents front-footed leadership in this new AI-driven era.”

Further information and full financial statements can be found in the 20-F filed later today, after market close, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

About Gorilla Technology Group Inc.

Headquartered in London U.K., Gorilla is a global solution provider in Security Intelligence, Network Intelligence, Business Intelligence and IoT technology. We provide a wide range of solutions, including Smart City, Network, Video, Security Convergence and IoT, across select verticals of Government & Public Services, Manufacturing, Telecom, Retail, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare and Education, by using AI and Deep Learning Technologies.

Our expertise lies in revolutionizing urban operations, bolstering security and enhancing resilience. We deliver pioneering products that harness the power of AI in intelligent video surveillance, facial recognition, license plate recognition, edge computing, post-event analytics and advanced cybersecurity technologies. By integrating these AI-driven technologies, we empower Smart Cities to enhance efficiency, safety and cybersecurity measures, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents.

For more information, please visit our website: Gorilla-Technology.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Gorilla’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “might” and “continues,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our beliefs about future revenues, our ability to attract the attention of customers and investors alike, Gorilla’s ability to win additional projects and execute definitive contracts related thereto, along with those other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Form 20-F Gorilla will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 30, 2025 and those that are included in any of Gorilla’s future filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of Gorilla and are difficult to predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Gorilla undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation.

Investor Relations Contact:
Dave Gentry
RedChip Companies, Inc.
1-407-644-4256
GRRR@redchip.com

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

LUX Mash-Up: Reframing Bollywood Soundtracks With Empowering Clap-Backs

LUX and VML Singapore Create Entertaining Playlists That Spark Reflection on Gender Representation in Popular Bollywood Songs


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2025 – Iconic beauty brand, LUX, has always stood against casual sexism. Through the years, LUX has launched numerous campaigns to fight sexism and empower women. This year, LUX is tackling sexism head-on through music.

Unstoppable female DJs: Dr Sangria, DJ Pearl and DJ Tashi rocking club-goers with electrifying LUX Mash-Ups.
Unstoppable female DJs: Dr Sangria, DJ Pearl and DJ Tashi rocking club-goers with electrifying LUX Mash-Ups.

Teaming up with Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series—India’s leading music powerhouse with an expansive catalogue that resonates with diverse audiences—this collaboration marks a bold and culturally resonant step in driving the conversation around equality and respect.

Rather than dismissing these cultural touchstones, LUX chose to spark a dialogue and offer a fresh perspective. Working with VML Singapore and on-ground partner EYP Creations, and collaborating with India’s leading female DJs – DJ Pearl, DJ Tashi, and Dr Sangria – the LUX Mash-Up was created to encourage reflection on the messages embedded within popular songs.

The Mash-Up playlists juxtapose popular Bollywood hits with empowering anthems, creating a dynamic interplay between familiar sounds and progressive perspectives. The project aims to offer a counterpoint to potentially limiting portrayals, fostering a more nuanced understanding.

LUX Mash-Ups remix and reframe familiar songs, inviting listeners to consider the underlying messages and encouraging a more empowering interpretation of these cultural staples.

See their posts here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJEFplhKPr3/?igsh=d2kzdHNza2pzb2Ix
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJEKAcsJyPy/?igsh=MTFkZ2Q3dTBtb3MwMg==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJETTKutQUC/?igsh=ZHJob3NtejNkaWt1

“Music is emotion. Music is memory. By evolving the narratives we dance and celebrate to, we can shape a more inclusive and empowering vision of women and their beauty and strength,” said Hinoti Joshi, Global Managing Partner at VML Singapore. “With the LUX Mash-Up, we wanted to fight sexism without preaching; to make people move – and make them think – without missing a beat,” said Marco Versolato, CCO of VML Singapore.

Live performances, curated playlists on digital platforms, and engaging online content allowed the campaign to organically integrate into India’s celebratory spaces, sparking both joy and reflection.

This entertaining campaign builds on LUX’s longstanding commitment to championing women and promoting positive cultural narratives.
Hashtag: #VMLSingapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About LUX

LUX has been celebrating beauty and femininity since 1925. We understand that beauty is a woman’s armour, her source of strength. It is hers to express, unapologetically. We will continue to help women everywhere to rise above judgements they face at home, in the workplace and in wider society.

Ace Green Recycling Secures Agreement with OM Commodities to Supply Flagship Texas Facility

 OM Commodities to supply Ace with at least 30,000 metric tons of lead annually, which the Company will recycle using its fully electrified process that produces zero Scope 1 emissions

Ace advances plans to become a public company in the U.S. with the filing of its Form S-4 with the SEC

HOUSTON, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ace Green Recycling, Inc. (“Ace” or the “Company”), a leading provider of sustainable battery recycling technology solutions, today announced that it has secured a battery material supply agreement with OM Commodities, a leading global commodities trading firm that specializes in trading ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, primary metals and residues.

Lead Ingots
Lead Ingots

As part of the agreement, OM Commodities will supply Ace with at least 30,000 metric tons of lead scrap annually, which the Company expects to recycle at its planned flagship facility in Texas with production expected to commence in 2026. The level of feedstock is sufficient to cover 100% of Ace’s phase one recycling capacity at its future Texas facility. The agreement is for a term of at least 15 years and provides Ace with the option to obtain more supply from OM Commodities as Ace scales up its recycling operations. The Company and OM Commodities are in active discussions for future lithium battery recycling collaborations.

“Ace is a true pioneer when it comes to providing an environmentally friendly and economically superior solution to recycle valuable material from lead scrap,” Yiannis Dumas, President  of OM Commodities, said. “We look forward to supporting Ace with lead feedstock as they scale up their operations in Texas and helping create a more circular and sustainable battery materials supply chain in the U.S.”

“We believe that Ace’s future Texas facility is poised to play a key role in addressing many of the current challenges in the lead industry in the U.S., while helping the country meet the growing domestic demand for valuable battery materials,” Nishchay Chadha, CEO and Co-Founder of Ace, said. “This agreement with OM Commodities will provide us with enough supply to support our Texas facility during all of its current planned phases, enabling us to achieve optimal efficiencies as we deploy our solutions in the U.S. market. With OM Commodities being a U.S.-based leader in metals doing business across the Americas and Asia with a specialty in lead batteries, we look forward to leveraging their expertise in the space as we advance our scale-up efforts.”

With more than 1.5 million metric tons of lead battery scrap available for recycling in the U.S. alone, there is a critical gap in smelter capacity to keep valuable lead material within the domestic supply chain. Ace’s GREENLEAD® recycling technology is a fully electric process that produces zero Scope 1 emissions and is capable of recovering up to 99% of battery-grade lead with more than 99.98% purity. The Company’s process is designed to replace legacy smelting operations that are detrimental to the environment and human health due to potential lead poisoning. This innovation helps to facilitate a more streamlined permitting process.

Ace Advances Public Listing Plans

On April 29, 2025, Ace and Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (“ATAC II”) filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “S-4”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the companies’ previously announced business combination, pursuant to the business combination agreement that Ace and ATAC II entered into on December 4, 2024, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Once completed, Ace is expected to become a public company in the U.S. with its common stock listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. The Company expects its common stock to trade under the ticker “AGXI.”

“This filing is an important step in Ace’s plans to become a public company in the U.S.,” continued Mr. Chadha. “As we continue to scale our lead and lithium battery recycling technologies to help support the markets for both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, we expect that our upcoming listing will be a key accelerator of growth for Ace.”

Additional information about the proposed transaction, including a copy of the business combination agreement, is available in the S-4, which can be accessed at www.sec.gov.

About Ace Green Recycling

Ace Green Recycling, Inc., incorporated in Delaware, is an innovative battery recycling technology platform offering sustainable end-of-life solutions. It has deployed modular, Scope 1 carbon emissions-free recycling facilities for lithium (nickel-manganese-cobalt & lithium iron phosphate) and lead batteries used in various industries including electronics, automotive and energy storage. Ace was founded by Nishchay Chadha, Chief Executive Officer and a veteran in recycling, mining and global supply chain industries, and Dr. Vipin Tyagi, Chief Technology Officer, with extensive experience in battery materials recycling technologies. For more information, please visit www.acegreenrecycling.com.

Contacts:

Media
Media@acegreenrecycling.com

Investors
Investors@acegreenrecycling.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Ace and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Ace undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

BANILA CO Dominates the Global Cleansing Balm Market, Ranked No.1 Top Selling Cleansing Balm, by Euromonitor

From K-Beauty Icon to Global Favorite: A Cleansing Balm That Sets New Global Standards

Banila Co has been named the No. 1 global cleansing balm brand, according to the research by Euromonitor International.

  • Banila Co ranked as the world’s top-selling cleansing balm brand based on 2023 global retail sales
  • Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm surpasses 90 million units sold worldwide
  • Banila Co continues to expand its cleansing balm portfolio and launches special-edition collaborations

SEOUL, South Korea, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Makeup brand Banila Co announced that it has been named the world’s top-selling cleansing balm brand[1], based on retail sales data compiled, according to data analytics company Euromonitor International.

Banila Co Tops Global Cleansing Balm Market, according to Euromonitor International
Banila Co Tops Global Cleansing Balm Market, according to Euromonitor International

Widely recognized as the cleansing balm, Banila Co has solidified its position as a leading K-beauty brand through proprietary beauty expertise and innovative technology. According to Euromonitor, the global cleansing balm market was valued at approximately USD 1.04 billion in 2023. Banila Co accounted for 22% share of global retail value sales, reinforcing its standing as the No. 1 brand worldwide[2] in this category.

At the heart of this success is Banila Co’s flagship product, Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm, which has now sold more than 90 million units worldwide. Since its debut, Banila Co has consistently invested in research and development to enhance the product’s efficacy, with these efforts playing a significant role in strengthening the brand’s market position.

Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm is recognized for its ability to effectively remove makeup without leaving behind residue, while preserving key ingredients that nourish the skin. Its distinctive oil-balm formula melts seamlessly into the skin, delivering a gentle yet thorough deep-cleansing experience without causing irritation.

Banila Co has also expanded its product line to address a range of skin concerns. In addition to the existing Original, Pore Clarifying, Nourishing, and Calming variants, the brand recently introduced the Enriching Butter line, offering targeted cleansing solutions tailored to different skin types.

Furthermore, Banila Co has collaborated with popular characters such as Hello Kitty and My Melody to launch special-edition collections, transforming everyday cleansing into a joyful beauty ritual. Most recently, a playful partnership with The Powerpuff Girls has further strengthened Banila Co’s distinctive brand identity and signature appeal.

A Banila Co spokesperson said, “We are honored that the excellence of our long-standing bestseller, Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm, has been recognized worldwide. We will continue to strive to earn even greater trust in the global beauty market by delivering exceptional beauty products.”

[1] Source: Euromonitor International; Based on 2023 RSP Value Sales terms, Cleansing Balm sold via all retail channels (Research period: November 2024 ~ February 2025)

[2] Source Euromonitor International Limited; Based on Cleansing Balm product sold via retail in RSP value terms, 2023; Research conducted in November 2024 – February 2025.

HL Mando Recognized as 2024 Supplier of the Year by General Motors

SEOUL, South Korea and LAS VEGAS, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 8, 2025, General Motors presented HL Mando with a 2024 Supplier of the Year Award at GM’s 33rd annual Supplier of the Year event in Phoenix, Arizona.

(From the left) Min-Chul Lee (Head of Production Engineering team, HL Mando America Jeff Pontius (Director of Brake R&D, HL Mando America), Alison Ellis (Director of Sales, HL Mando America) Jason (Jae-hyuk) Kim (Head of Americas Region,  HL Mando), Jeff Morrison (Global Chief Procurement Officer, GM)
(From the left) Min-Chul Lee (Head of Production Engineering team, HL Mando America Jeff Pontius (Director of Brake R&D, HL Mando America), Alison Ellis (Director of Sales, HL Mando America) Jason (Jae-hyuk) Kim (Head of Americas Region, HL Mando), Jeff Morrison (Global Chief Procurement Officer, GM)

HL Mando, HL Group’s leading Tier 1 automotive Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) company, was selected by General Motors (GM) for its 2024 Supplier of the Year (SOY) award. HL Mando has been awarded for five consecutive years and 11 times in total. On April 8, the 33rd SOY recognition event was held in Arizona, USA and attended by the Head of HL Mando Americas region Jason (Jae-hyuk) Kim, R&D Director Jeff Pontius, and Sales Director Alison Ellis. 92 companies from 12 countries were recognized as excellent partners to General Motors. Less than 1% of GM’s suppliers are awarded the SOY Award.  HL Mando was recognized in the Brake Apply & Controls category – its Motor on Caliper (MoC) product, which received the spotlight again, is manufactured at HL Mando’s Alabama plant. GM praised not only the company’s localization efforts but also its technological innovation.

HL Mando’s North American localization journey began in 1996. The corporation laid the groundwork for expansion into the North American region by establishing its first R&D center (Mando Engineering & Sales America; MESA) in  Michigan. Then, HL Mando launched its first manufacturing facility, Mando Corporation America in Alabama (MCA), and won its first SOY award in 2003. Following the completion of the Alabama plant in 2004, a second production facility was added in 2012 to meet the growing demand for casting components. This became the MCA Georgia Plant. In 2013, HL Mando expanded its R&D capabilities by establishing a second R&D center, HL Mechatronics (HM), also in Michigan. While MESA focuses on development activities up to mass production, HM specializes in future-oriented automotive technologies. HL Mando has recently invested approximately USD 700 million in its North American operations. The amount is a testament to the corporation’s commitment to the North American sector, demonstrating continued focus on cutting-edge technology.

“For more than 30 years, General Motors has recognized the company’s top global suppliers at our annual event, spotlighting their innovation and resiliency through even the most challenging circumstances,” said Jeff Morrison, global chief procurement officer at GM. “Together, we’re helping bring advanced technology and the industry’s broadest portfolio of vehicles to market for GM customers.

GM’s Supplier of the Year awards recognize global suppliers for their execution across key categories like safety, innovation and resilience. A global cross-functional team makes award selections based not only on an organization’s performance across 2024, but also their alignment to GM’s core values and ambitious goals.

Jason (Jae-hyuk) Kim, the Head of HL Mando Americas region, stated, “Our three decades of localization efforts in North America have led to strong customer satisfaction. And we look forward to shaping the future together with GM through collaboration in future mobility areas such as automotive software and autonomous driving.”

 

LG Innotek to build FC-BGA into 700 million USD business by 2030 with its state-of-the-art Dream Factory

SEOUL, South Korea, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LG unveiled the Dream Factory, a hub for the production of FC-BGAs (Flip Chip Ball Grid Arrays), the company’s next-generation growth engine, to the media for the first time and announced it on the 30th April.

A process of Line Quality Control (LQC), which checks whether the product meets the specifications (thickness, size, etc.) required by the customer. The inspection result data is immediately transmitted to the customer and cannot be manipulated. This quality transparency is one of the most important factors for LG Innotek’s global clients.
A process of Line Quality Control (LQC), which checks whether the product meets the specifications (thickness, size, etc.) required by the customer. The inspection result data is immediately transmitted to the customer and cannot be manipulated. This quality transparency is one of the most important factors for LG Innotek’s global clients.

In 2022, LG Innotek announced its plans to launch a business producing FC-BGAs, high-value semiconductor substrates. To build the Dream Factory, the company acquired LG Electronics’ Gumi 4 Factory and began full-scale mass production in February 2024.

The Dream Factory, spanning a total area of 26,000 square meters, is regarded as the industry’s most advanced “smart” factory, integrating the latest IT technologies, including artificial intelligence, deep learning, robotics, and digital twin technologies. By applying automation, information, and intelligence technologies to the entire process, it has established a cutting-edge FC-BGA production infrastructure that eliminates the four major factors known to undermine production competitiveness: human error (Man), failure cost (F-cost), breakdown maintenance (BM) loss, and accidents.

  • “Elimination of defects caused by human contact” through automation of all processes and logistics using robots

For semiconductor substrate products such as FC-BGAs, which require a highly demanding ultra-fine process, even the smallest foreign objects (eyelash, saliva, etc.) can cause quality issues. Therefore, it is crucial to minimize human contact with products during production.

To this end, LG Innotek has introduced a completely automated logistics system at the Dream Factory, where coming across a person is a rare event. Apart from essential personnel, such as equipment maintenance and repair workers, all 10 steps of the FC-BGA production and logistics processes are unmanned.

Dozens of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) move materials around the production line autonomously. When a production order is placed, which is done automatically, based on the customer’s delivery timeframe entered in the RTS (real-time schedule), the AMRs transport the raw materials to the process facility. Once the barcode on the raw material is detected, also done automatically, by the machine, the process recipe is automatically set on the equipment according to the product specifications through the recipe management system (RMS), after which the product processing begins. The AMRs are also responsible for loading the finished product back into the stocker.

In addition, the process of peeling off the protective film from the panel (film detach) is also replaced by a robot. This enables the early prevention of fine scratches and defects caused by foreign objects such as dust particles and foreign substances. The construction of non-touch production facilities, involving such equipment as collaborative robots, in the entire process has significantly reduced mishandling by workers.

  • Unmanned AI-based FC-BGA quality inspection, enhancing customer confidence by ensuring quality “transparency”

The Dream Factory generates more than 200,000 files and 100GB of data related to FC-BGA production every day. LG Innotek collects this data throughout the production process through sensors installed in all of its facilities.  By applying AI, which continuously learns from this big data, to the defect prediction and inspection system, the company has significantly reduced the lead time caused by defects.

In addition, LG Innotek has applied an AI deep learning vision inspection system to the Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) process, which is the most important step in determining whether a product is of good quality. Tirelessly, the robot moves the finished FC-BGA board products to the vision screening inspection table. Next, the AI, which has been trained on tens of thousands of data points on defective and good quality FC-BGAs, detects micro-level defects that are challenging to identify with the naked eye, and it does so in only 30 seconds.

LG Innotek is operating a further advanced AOI process. In the room next to the AOI equipment for faulty circuits, there is a much larger robot and inspection system. Called Line Quality Control (LQC), it can automatically check whether the various specifications (thickness, size, etc.) of the product requested by the customer have been fulfilled. The inspection data is immediately sent to the customer, ensuring product quality transparency, which leads to higher customer confidence. This industry-leading sophistication of LG Innotek’s AOI equipment has been cited as one of the most impressive aspects of the factory by the global customers who have visited it.

AI can identify defective products, and since every product has a barcode that tracks its process history, products that are deemed defective are automatically filtered out without the need for human intervention, reducing F-costs by more than 50%.

Additionally, AI has been applied to the digital simulation system, which prevents product defects and equipment failures. Previously, the process of workers manually checking products for defects and identifying which machines were faulty and how to repair them in response to defects required a lot of time. This can now be significantly improved.

By 2026, LG Innotek plans to introduce an intelligent Quality Management System (i-QMS) that detects and analyzes quality irregularities during production in real time and automatically corrects them. The company plans to automate the entire FC-BGA production process, especially by developing a platform that uses digital twin technology to share information on all processes, from product development to production, with customers in real time to enhance customer responsiveness.

  • Optimized FC-BGA process equipment using digital twin technology, “halving the ramp-up period”

Since even the smallest variables can lead to poor performance in FC-BGAs, equipment optimized for mass production and process recipes and production environments set to perfect values are fundamental to achieving high yields.

The FC-BGA process equipment installed in the Dream Factory is set to optimal conditions through digital twin technology. In the past, identifying optimal conditions for the FC-BGA process required a lot of time and money, along with hundreds of tests. Before building the facility, LG Innotek managed to identify problems with the initial setup of the FC-BGA process facility in advance by conducting a “factory simulation” using 3D modelling in virtual space. This enabled the facility to be carefully set for optimal conditions, such as liquid, heat, and air flow, which were difficult to measure inside the actual facility. As a result, the ramp-up period (increase in production capacity by improving initial production yields) was shortened by nearly half compared to the previous operation period.

In addition, digital twin technology is applied to the Line Monitoring System (LMS), which monitors production status in real time. The real-time monitoring system enables users to monitor the production line currently in operation, product movement, inventory status, equipment irregularities, production performance, and product quality status at a glance on the large screen of the integrated control room where the LMS is installed. This makes it possible to respond immediately in the event of any irregularity.

  • Internalization of glass core technology, step-by-step entry into the high-end FC-BGA market: “Fostering the business into 700 million USD business by 2030″

Over the past 50 years, LG Innotek has accumulated core technologies for high-value semiconductor substrates, such as ultra-fine microcircuits and high-density, multi-layer substrate matching technology (stacking multiple substrate layers accurately and evenly), through its substrate material components business.

Based on this know-how, the company began full-scale mass production of FC-BGAs for personal computers (PCs) for North American big-tech customers at the end of last year and recently succeeded in securing additional global big-tech clients. This year, LG Innotek aims to enter the FC-BGA market for PC central processing units (CPUs). Its strategy is to enter the high-end FC-BGA market in phases, including entering the server FC-BGA market as early as 2026. In preparation for this, LG Innotek has already acquired facilities that are essential in the manufacturing of FC-BGA products for servers, such as “edge coating” that blocks the generation of dust particles.

In line with this goal, LG Innotek will also accelerate the development of next-generation substrate technologies in collaboration with global big-tech clients. By 2027, the company plans to internalize technologies such as re-distribution layer (RDL) technology, which engraves microcircuit patterns directly onto the substrate; device embedding technology, which minimizes power loss by embedding devices into the substrate; and multi-layer core (MLC) and glass core (glass substrate) technologies, which prevent warping when implementing large-area substrates. In particular, LG Innotek has been promoting glass substrates by strengthening its collaboration with global customers.

Minseok Kang, vice president and head of LG Innotek’s Substrate & Material Business Unit, said, “LG Innotek will continue to expand the production of FC-BGAs that provide exceptional customer value based on its state-of-the-art Dream Factory and develop the FC-BGA business into 700 million USD business by 2030.”

According to the Fuji Chimera Research Institute, the size of the global FC-BGA market is expected to more than double from USD 8 billion in 2022 to USD 16.4 billion in 2030.

[Glossary]

FC-BGA (Flip Chip Ball Grid Array): This is a semiconductor substrate that is widely applied to electronic devices equipped with semiconductor chips (CPU, GPU, AI chips, etc.) that perform various computing functions. Demand for high-performance semiconductor substrates is growing rapidly due to increased data throughput, higher semiconductor processing speeds, and the need for low-power semiconductors. For these reasons, FC-BGAs have a larger area and more layers than conventional semiconductor substrates. They are also known to have high barriers to market entry because they require top-level facilities and technologies to produce.