SK hynix to build chip packaging fab in U.S.

By Baek Byung-yeul, The Korea Times - SK hynix will invest $3.87 billion to construct its first advanced chip packaging plant in West Lafayette, Indiana, in cooperation with Washington, which possesses many big tech companies in the AI sector, the Korean chip maker said Thursday.

The company, which holds the largest market share in AI memory semiconductors, added that it would also engage in semiconductor research and development in cooperation with Purdue University located in West Lafayette, thereby reinforcing its collaboration with the United States.

With this investment announcement, SK hynix will start producing AI memory products, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, also known as AI memory chips, in its Indiana factory in the second half of 2028.

"We are excited to become the first in the industry to build a state-of-the-art advanced packaging facility for AI products in the United States that will help strengthen supply-chain resilience and develop a local semiconductor ecosystem," SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-Jung said during the signing event held at Purdue University, Wednesday (local time).

"With this new facility, we hope to advance our goal of providing AI memory chips with unmatched capabilities, serving the needs of our customers," the CEO added.

SK hynix said that the production base and R&D facilities being built there would create more than 1,000 local jobs, contributing to the development of the U.S. state. In addition, the company plans to establish partnerships for community development with the state of Indiana and support the activities of the Purdue Research Foundation, local non-profits and charitable organizations.

The memory chip industry has seen a surge in demand for high-performance memory chips, such as HBM, as more AI services started becoming available. To strengthen its technological leadership in the advanced chip packaging sector, SK hynix decided to invest in the U.S., the company said.

Having secured its leadership position in the AI memory market, SK hynix decided to invest in the United States to strengthen its technological leadership in the advanced post-processing field and has been searching for an optimal site. The country is home to the AI sector, which has a number of big tech customers and is active in advanced post-processing technology research.

After reviewing various candidate sites, the company finally chose Indiana. This was because of the state government's active efforts to attract investment, as well as the region's rich manufacturing infrastructure necessary for chip production, the company said, adding that the presence of Purdue, known for its advanced engineering capabilities, was also highly rated.

"Indiana is a global leader in innovating and producing the products that will power our future economy, and today's news is proof positive to that fact," Eric Holcomb, governor of Indiana, said. "I'm so proud to officially welcome SK hynix to Indiana, and we're confident this new partnership will enhance the Lafayette-West Lafayette region, Purdue University and the state of Indiana for the long term."

Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/04/129_372106.html​

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