South Korean semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix Inc. (NASDAQ: SKHY) is in exploratory discussions with Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) regarding the potential production of memory chips at Intel’s planned facility in Ohio, according to a report by Reuters citing three unnamed sources.
Under the reported scenarios, SK Hynix could lease a portion of Intel’s Ohio site. Alternatively, the companies are considering a joint venture involving Intel and major cloud companies to secure memory supplies. SK Hynix stated that it is reviewing various measures to bolster the competitiveness of its memory business, but emphasized that no matters have been determined at this stage.
Intel declined to comment on the speculation, noting that it continues to invest in preparing its Ohio site. The company previously pushed the operations at the Ohio campus to 2030-31.
SK Hynix is a leading supplier of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and NAND flash memory, as well as high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI processors. The company denied plans to acquire Intel’s Ohio semiconductor campus in July, stating it had not pursued or decided to acquire the site or Fab.
South Korea’s trade ministry indicated that production involving "national core technology" would be subject to review under the Industrial Technology Protection Act. In June, Intel appointed former SK Hynix and SK On CEO Seok-Hee Lee as executive vice president of its contract chip-manufacturing business.
