SK Hynix plans to accelerate the launch of its new semiconductor facilities in response to growing global demand for memory chips. The company confirmed that it will open its first chip factory in Yongin, South Korea, three months ahead of schedule, targeting February 2027. It will also begin operating its new M15X fab in Cheongju next month to produce high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips.
The move comes amid a sharp rise in demand for HBM, which is used in AI systems developed by companies like Nvidia and AMD. SK Hynix is currently one of the leading HBM suppliers and a key partner in OpenAI’s Stargate project. Prices for some memory products have jumped more than 300% over the past year, according to TrendForce data, placing additional pressure on chipmakers to increase production.
SK Hynix is also investing $13 billion in a new packaging and testing facility named P&T7, which will be built in Cheongju near the M15X plant. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with completion expected by the end of 2027. The company aims to improve efficiency by enabling direct transfer of DRAM modules from M15X to P&T7 for final packaging.
The expansion is part of SK Hynix’s broader efforts to scale production and reduce reliance on external foundries. The Yongin facility is one piece of a planned $407 billion “Semiconductor Cluster” that will include four fabs.
SK Hynix stated that it reviews its production strategy on a monthly basis and is observing a shift among hyperscaler customers toward multi-year supply agreements, rather than traditional one-year deals.
The company currently holds over 60% of the global HBM market. As AI-related demand continues to grow, SK Hynix is positioning itself to maintain its lead by expanding its domestic capacity and accelerating deployment timelines.
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