The rapidly growing artificial intelligence sector is a major demand driver for steel producers in the Philippines and Taiwan, industry participants said on May 19 at the Southeast Asian Iron and Steel Institute 2026 Conference and exhibition in Singapore.
The Philippines and Taiwan are semiconductor manufacturing hubs, and their metallurgical sector will play a crucial role in stimulating the development of artificial intelligence, which has led to a surge in data center construction, semiconductor manufacturing, and ancillary facilities.
"All artificial intelligence projects need an infrastructure that requires steel," Geraldine Santos, public relations specialist at the Philippine Institute of Iron and Steel, part of S&P Global Energy, told Platts.
"Artificial intelligence projects are not just virtual projects, you will need infrastructure to develop them," Santos said.
The Pax initiative to create a U.
S.-led silica supply chain is expected to https://core./#platts/newsArticle?articleID=cdc52d70-38ff-42be-a88c-f1f7cbf2664c It will stimulate investment in artificial intelligence in the Philippines. As part of this agreement, the United States plans to build a 4,000-acre industrial center in the country to ensure the security of American supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical minerals.
"What really makes Pax Silica particularly important for the industrial and steel sectors is its focus," Santos said. "Ultimately, Pax Silica reflects the general direction of development of the Philippine economy, aimed at developing high-value-added industries, stronger industrialization and deeper integration into global production."
According to Victor Chen, general marketing manager of China Steel Corp., the production of special steel for artificial intelligence and other high-tech applications is also a key factor for Taiwanese steelmakers to remain competitive in the face of the influx of Chinese steel into the market. (Taiwan).
"If you can't produce steel products as efficiently and cheaply as Chinese manufacturers, I think we should all find a way to differentiate our products," Chen said. "Now we're talking about robots and all these new high-tech[agricultural products]that require more special steel to produce."
According to Chen, the increased production of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., one of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers, bodes well for Taiwanese metallurgists.
On May 19, Platts agency, part of the
