SK Hynix weighs US NAND chip plant through Solidigm

Solidigm, an affiliate of SK Hynix, is considering the construction of a NAND flash memory chip manufacturing plant in the United States, with upstate New York being a potential site, according to sources familiar with the discussions reported by Reuters. The Trump administration has pushed SK Hynix to boost its US manufacturing operations as part of efforts to bring semiconductor production back to the US.

The global shortage of memory chips, fueled by strong investment in AI data centers, has hastened plans for facility expansion. The proposed factory would operate separately from SK Hynix's ongoing talks with Intel Corp about memory chip production at Intel's Ohio plant, sources told Reuters. Establishing a US facility would lessen Solidigm's reliance on its sole NAND production site in Dalian, China, and offer protection against potential US tariffs and chip equipment export restrictions to China, according to Reuters.

Reuters reported that no final agreement has been sealed, as key project details are still under discussion. SK Hynix may proceed cautiously due to higher US chip manufacturing costs compared to South Korea. Ongoing trade and investment negotiations between Washington and Seoul could impact the decision, Reuters added. SK Hynix stated that Solidigm is evaluating various options to enhance its business competitiveness, but no specific plans have been confirmed yet.