Overview
- Reports on Sept. 16 said anonymous sources told Reuters that SK Hynix is exploring options to manufacture memory in the United States by leasing space at Intel’s Ohio complex or forming a joint venture that could include cloud providers.
- SK Hynix issued a statement saying it is reviewing options to strengthen its memory business and that no decisions or specific plans have been made.
- Intel called the coverage speculative and said it is continuing investments to ready the Ohio site, which has been delayed and is not expected to begin production until around 2030–2031.
- South Korea’s trade ministry warned that any transfer involving designated ‘national core technology’ would trigger a review under the Industrial Technology Protection Act, creating a potential government hurdle.
- Investors pushed both companies’ shares higher after the reports and analysts say a deal would help fill Intel’s underused Ohio capacity and respond to tight HBM and DRAM supply driven by AI demand, though any U.S. production would not relieve short-term shortages.