As of December 17, it was reported that Daegu Metropolitan Government announced that it will promote an "AI accelerator ultra-high-layer PCB autonomous manufacturing and intelligent production technology development" project over a four-year period, running from December 2025 through December 2029. The project carries a total investment of approximately KRW 10.434 billion (about CNY 50 million), including KRW 5.86 billion in national funding, KRW 1.8 billion from the Daegu city government, and KRW 2.774 billion from private-sector participants.

The Korea-listed PCB manufacturer ISU Petasys (KOSPI: 007660), a leading player in high-layer printed circuit boards, is a key participant in the program. Under the project, ISU Petasys will apply autonomous manufacturing technologies directly to the production floor for AI accelerator PCBs and conduct on-site verification. Ultra-high-layer PCBs refer to multilayer boards with more than 30 layers, which are increasingly required for AI and high-performance computing applications.

At the core of the initiative is the construction of an AI-based autonomous manufacturing system. By developing standardized process data models and introducing AI algorithms, the project aims to enable process defect prediction, equipment anomaly detection, and the automatic generation of optimal manufacturing conditions. The stated goal is to improve production efficiency by more than 20 percent compared with current levels, while strengthening capabilities for high-mix, low-volume production and accelerating new product development.

Daegu city officials said the project is intended to help the region secure world-class autonomous manufacturing technology in the field of ultra-high-layer PCBs for AI accelerators. As ISU Petasys continues to accumulate manufacturing know-how and shop-floor data, the initiative is also expected to promote closer collaboration between AI and manufacturing companies within the region. Over time, Daegu aims to build a globally competitive autonomous PCB manufacturing ecosystem.

In a separate but related move, on November 27, Daegu recently signed a KRW 50.3 billion investment agreement with ISU Petasys at the city hall complex. Under the agreement, a new plant dedicated to drilling processes for high-layer multilayer boards will be established at the Dalseong Second Industrial Complex. The investment reflects ISU Petasys' strategy to respond to surging demand for high-layer and ultra-precision PCBs driven by the rapid expansion of generative AI and cloud computing, while enhancing its capabilities in high-difficulty drilling processes.

The new project follows the company's previous large-scale investment in a fifth plant at the Dalseong First Industrial Complex. This time, ISU Petasys will build the new facility on a site of about 34,866 square meters and plans to install drilling equipment by utilizing existing buildings on the site. Initial mass production is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with production capacity to be expanded in stages through additional construction in the first half of the year.

Once the new plant is completed, ISU Petasys expects to significantly enhance delivery competitiveness and production efficiency in combination with the expanded fifth plant. The company projects that these investments could help it achieve approximately KRW 1.5 trillion in revenue by 2030. The expansion is also expected to strengthen cooperation with partner companies, contributing to regional economic development and a more robust industrial value chain.

ISU Petasys CEO Choi Chang-bok said the company aims to maintain world-class technology and quality in the high-layer PCB market, strengthen its global leadership, and contribute to regional economic growth through cooperation with local partners and job creation. Daegu's vice mayor for economic affairs said the city would provide full administrative and policy support to help ISU Petasys further solidify its position as a global leader in AI-related semiconductor and PCB technologies.