SK Hynix in talks with Intel on US memory chip production

Ohio fab lease or joint venture under consideration

SK Hynix and Intel are in talks over an arrangement that would bring SK Hynix memory chip production to the United States for the first time. According to sources cited in the September 16 reporting, two scenarios are under discussion: SK Hynix would either lease part of Intel's long-planned chipmaking facility in Ohio, or form a venture with Intel and major cloud firms seeking to lock in memory chip supplies. The sources described the talks as exploratory and stressed that no decisions have been made, noting SK Hynix might also consider other options.

DRAM, HBM and NAND as the production focus

The reporting indicates the potential facility would target regular planar DRAM, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and some NAND flash storage solutions, though Reuters said it could not determine which specific technology would be the focus. Intel declined to comment on the rumor but noted that its Ohio investments are continuing regardless. SK Hynix said the company had not finalized any decision or cooperation, while stopping short of explicitly ruling out future collaboration.

Supply-chain pressure from hyperscalers and fabless chip designers

Sources said hyperscalers, fabless chip designers and other buyers are in urgent need of additional DRAM, and that any joint venture with Intel would likely see its output consumed by those customers, giving both companies a substantial financial interest in such a structure. Under an alternative scenario in which SK Hynix leased the Ohio facility, the South Korean memory maker would pay a premium for the lease while retaining all production for itself.

South Korean government approval and political context

It remains unclear whether the South Korean government would approve a deal of this kind. The reporting framed any such agreement as a significant win for the Trump administration, reflecting Washington's push to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing, though the sources stressed the discussions are still in early stages.

What remains uncertain

No timeline has been disclosed for a decision, and the reporting emphasizes that the structure of any arrangement has not been determined. Reuters also noted it could not confirm which technology would anchor the Ohio site if the deal proceeds, leaving the scale, cost and product mix unresolved pending an official announcement.

The next verifiable milestone is an official decision from SK Hynix and Intel, which sources indicated could be announced in the near term.