SK Hynix reportedly in talks with Intel to build memory chips in US
SK Hynix is in discussions with Intel to produce RAM chips in the U.S. for the first time. The companies are exploring options, including SK Hynix leasing space at Intel’s Ohio factory or forming a joint venture with cloud service providers. SK Hynix stated that no specific plans or arrangements have been finalized yet. This follows SK Hynix's ongoing $3.8 billion investment in an advanced packaging facility in Indiana, expected to begin mass production in 2029.
SK Hynix's potential U.S. RAM chip production with Intel is less about immediate capacity and more about geopolitical alignment. The Korean giant already has a $3.8 billion AI chip facility under construction in Indiana. The Ohio discussion reflects the Trump administration's push for domestic semiconductor manufacturing and tariff relief for U.S. investors. It is a hedging against future trade barriers, not a sudden need for more DRAM output.
For South Korea, the U.S. production plan presents a dilemma. While Seoul acknowledges SK Hynix's autonomy, any transfer of strategically important chip technology could trigger a government review. The government's concern is technology leakage, not just U.S. investment. This puts SK Hynix in a tight spot, balancing U.S. incentives against domestic regulatory scrutiny over national tech assets.
The thing to watch is the specific type of memory chip SK Hynix would produce in Ohio. If it involves advanced HBM or next-generation DRAM, Seoul's review will be intense. A focus on older, less sensitive RAM would ease domestic pressure. The Intel deal for NAND flash memory in 2020 was simpler; this one carries more political weight.
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SK Hynix in talks with Intel about deal to make memory chips in US for the first time, sources say
Our earlier report detailed SK Hynix's initial discussions with Intel to manufacture memory chips in the US.
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