Story perspectives

SK Hynix and Intel Discuss U.S. Memory Chip Production

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 2:34 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

SK Hynix is discussing with Intel to produce memory chips in the United States.
The parties are considering either leasing part of Intel's Ohio fab or forming a joint venture with cloud firms.
South Korea may block the plan because HBM and DRAM are national core technologies.
U.S. production would face higher labor and construction costs and rely on an Asian-centric supply chain.

History

Historical Context

After Intel opened a new Oregon fab in 1996, its own fabrication already accounted for about 75 % of its total output, reinforcing domestic supply. Now SK Hynix is negotiating with Intel to locate DRAM production in Ohio, reviving the strategy of anchoring critical chip manufacturing on U.S. soil in the United States.

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Story summary

SK Hynix is discussing with Intel to produce memory chips in the United States.
The parties are considering either leasing part of Intel's Ohio fab or forming a joint venture with cloud firms.
South Korea may block the plan because HBM and DRAM are national core technologies.
U.S. production would face higher labor and construction costs and rely on an Asian-centric supply chain.

1 / 2