SK Hynix will invest 54 trillion Korean won ($38.1 billion) to build two new memory chip fabs in South Korea, one for DRAM including HBM in Yongin and another for NAND storage in Cheongju. The move aims to keep pace with surging demand for memory driven by AI data centers, which has pushed DRAM and NAND prices sharply higher and delivered big profits while increasing costs for smartphones, consoles and PCs. The first cleanroom could start production by June 2029, but analysts expect tight supply and elevated prices through at least 2028, as manufacturers prioritize lucrative data center customers and some retreat from the consumer memory market.
This update represents a notable development in the Ai sector. Organizations and founders tracking this space should evaluate potential strategic and technical implications on their operations.