SK Hynix Begins Prepping for Subsequent Semiconductor Increase with $11 Billion Reminiscence Fab
When a significant South Korean reminiscence agency invests over $11 billion in a fab, that raises a few eyebrows. However when it comes inside a significant $100+ billion capital expenditure (CapEx) package, it definitely warrants some consideration.
Semiconductor enterprise on the whole and reminiscence enterprise particularly are very cyclical of their nature. Only a 12 months in the past nearly all chips have been briefly provide and costs of commodities like reminiscence or show drivers have been excessive, however now that gross sales of PCs are declining, reminiscence costs are declining too. However a number of years down the street demand for PCs and different shopper units will rise as soon as once more, and so will demand for reminiscence. Which is why SK Hynix is already getting ready for this with its Fab M15X enlargement plan.
SK Hynix’s Fab M15X will probably be a two-story constructing occupying 60,000 m2 of land and will probably be positioned adjoining to present Fab M15 within the Cheongju Technopolis industrial complicated. The fab will produce 3D NAND (which suggests extra chemical vapor deposition and etching instruments within the cleanroom) and/or DRAM (which is extra lithography-intensive, so extra DUV and EUV gear within the cleanroom) reminiscence chips, relying on demand by the point it comes on-line typically in 2025. Since at current it’s unclear/undecided what the fab will produce, the corporate can’t disclose deliberate manufacturing capability of the upcoming manufacturing facility.
At a deliberate dimension roughly equal to mixed area of SK Hynix’s present Fab M11 and Fab M12, the corporate’s Fab M15X enlargement seems to be extra like a completely new fab constructed adjoining to present Fab M15 than an enlargement undertaking of the present fab. But because the two manufacturing services share infrastructure and numerous services, the maker prefers to name it Fab M15X.
“Wanting again on the previous 10 years, SK hynix might develop into a worldwide firm because it boldly carried out funding throughout disaster,” stated Park Jung-ho, vice chairman and co-chief govt of SK Hynix. “As we glance to arrange for the subsequent 10 years now, I imagine beginning the M15X will probably be a primary step to put basis for a strong future progress.”
Supply: SK Hynix
