SK Hynix and Intel explore US memory-chip manufacturing partnership

Three insiders report that SK Hynix is in exploratory discussions with Intel about building memory-chip capacity on U.S. soil for the first time. One option under consideration is leasing a portion of Intel’s long-planned Ohio semiconductor plant; another involves a joint venture with leading cloud operators to lock in memory supply. Such a deal would relieve Intel’s current production strain and support the U.S. administration’s push for domestic chip manufacturing amid AI-driven demand.

However, the South Korean government could object to the production of sensitive technologies like HBM or DRAM, invoking the Industrial Technology Protection Act. SK Hynix has said it is reviewing various options to boost competitiveness but has not made any decisions. Intel maintains that its Ohio investment proceeds as scheduled, while the U.S. Commerce Department has not commented.