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Reuters: SK Hynix, Intel Discuss U.S. Memory Production, Consider Joint Venture
Summary
- Reuters reported that SK Hynix and Intel are in talks over memory production in the United States.
- SK Hynix said it is reviewing various options, including setting up additional production bases, to strengthen its memory business competitiveness, but that nothing has been decided.
- Reuters said the talks are still at an early stage, with options including leasing an Ohio facility and forming a joint venture, while the product mix — HBM, DRAM or NAND flash — has yet to be decided.
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SK Hynix is discussing ways to work with Intel on memory chip production in the United States, a move that would mark its first memory manufacturing operation in the country.
Reuters, citing multiple sources, reported on Sept. 16 that SK Hynix and Intel have recently been in talks over memory production in the United States.
SK Hynix told Reuters it is reviewing a range of options, including setting up additional production bases, to strengthen the competitiveness of its memory business. Nothing has been decided, the company added.
One option under discussion is for SK Hynix to lease part of the semiconductor manufacturing facility Intel is building in Ohio. Reuters also reported that Intel, SK Hynix and major cloud companies seeking a stable memory supply are discussing the possibility of establishing a joint venture.
The talks remain at an early stage. Even if the two sides reach an agreement, it has not yet been determined whether the Ohio plant would make high-bandwidth memory, DRAM or NAND flash.
Separately, SK Hynix is investing $4 billion in Indiana to build a next-generation HBM packaging facility. The back-end plant will assemble DRAM made in South Korea and elsewhere into HBM products.
If cooperation with Intel materializes, it would mark SK Hynix's first front-end memory chip production in the United States.
JOON HYOUNG LEE
gilson@bloomingbit.ioCrypto Journalist based in Seoul