SK Hynix officially announced on Wednesday that it has neither pursued nor decided to acquire Intel Corporation’s Ohio site and fabrication plant.
This statement comes in response to a recent media report suggesting that SK Hynix was in negotiations with Intel Corporation to acquire their Ohio plant, with the aim of producing memory semiconductors in the U.S. within five years.
Industry sources indicate that Intel Corporation is currently constructing two semiconductor plants in New Albany, Ohio. However, due to financial challenges and investment adjustments, the timeline for commencing operations has been delayed until after 2030, significantly later than initially planned.
As the artificial intelligence (AI) memory market continues to expand, industry experts believe that SK Hynix is exploring various strategies, including capacity expansion and strategic investments, to secure the necessary production capabilities.
During a press conference at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s summer forum in Jeju on July 15, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasized that rapidly building factories is crucial for the survival of Korea’s semiconductor industry. It needs to quickly identify and construct facilities wherever possible worldwide. If feasible, it should also consider building in the U.S.
While SK Hynix has firmly denied the rumors about acquiring Intel Corporation’s plant, they did acknowledge that they are continuously evaluating various investment and acquisition opportunities as part of their business strategy.