In 1969, more than 400,000 scientists and engineers paved the way for space exploration with the Apollo 11 mission. In 2003, researchers from approximately 20 institutions in six countries completed the 13-year Human Genome Project, sparking a paradigm shift in modern medicine. Whenever humanity has come together in the spirit of one-team collaboration, new chapters have been written in history.
In 2025, humanity is approaching another turning point — an AI-centric era that is reshaping daily life and industries. This final installment of the One-Team Spirit series will highlight SK hynix’s leadership in transforming the AI memory landscape and its united efforts to prepare for the future.
SK hynix’s Next Step: Large-Scale Investments for Growth
It is no overstatement to say that SK hynix has been planning for the future for the past 42 years. Since entering the industry by beginning construction of its first fabrication plant (fab) in 1983, SK hynix has been heavily investing in fab expansion, laying the foundations for growth.
In 2004, SK hynix completed construction of the M10 fab, a 300 mm wafer fabrication facility based in Icheon. The company then went on to build the M11 and M12 fabs in Cheongju, which focus on NAND flash production, in 2008 and 2012, respectively. SK hynix continued to make large-scale investments, spending almost KRW 46 trillion (USD 34 billion) on building three fabs: M14 in Icheon in 2014, M15 in Cheongju in 2018, and M16 in Icheon in 2021. Through these investments, the company maximized both its semiconductor technology and production capabilities.
Throughout this period of expansion, the company had to overcome challenges. Every major investment decision raised concerns in the industry. For instance, when the company converted its 200 mm wafer fab into a 300 mm M10 plant, it was undergoing a period of financial difficulties. Likewise, at the time the M14 fab was completed, concerns were growing in the market due to oversupply and fierce capacity expansion competition.
However, this did not deter SK hynix as the company boldly pushed ahead with its future-focused strategy — a decision that ultimately led to greater production capacity and profitability. The M10 fab became a key production hub, achieving a record yield of 94.5% and producing 100,000 wafers per month just three months after equipment installation. Meeting the growing demand for high-performance DRAM, the M14 fab’s strong performance laid the path for further expansion of production capabilities at M15 and M16.
SK hynix is now planning its next steps. To meet AI memory chip demand and contribute to the growing AI semiconductor ecosystem, the company announced investments exceeding KRW 145 trillion (USD 107 billion). This includes a commitment in 2019 to spend KRW 120 trillion (USD 88.4 billion) on building facilities in the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, an estimated USD 3.9 billion (KRW 5.2 trillion) for an advanced packaging plant in Indiana in the U.S. in 2024, and KRW 20 trillion (USD 14.7 billion) for the M15X fab in Cheongju, also in 2024.
From Yongin to Indiana: One Borderless Team for AI Semiconductors
SK hynix emphasizes its one-team spirit as a core value to further its AI memory leadership. From the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, that acts as a central base, to the next-generation memory production hub at the M15X fab in Cheongju and the packaging plant in Indiana, every project is driven by the company’s one-team spirit.
At the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, SK hynix has a clear commitment to building a cohesive one-team ecosystem with semiconductor material and equipment companies. About 50 partner companies are expected to set up operations within the cluster, with the first fab scheduled for completion in May 2027.
The cluster will also include a mini fab1 designed to replicate the environment of an actual production fab, enabling partner companies to enhance product quality and mass production competitiveness. From technology development to mass production, SK hynix aims to create and deliver synergy built upon its one-team spirit throughout the entire process, creating an ecosystem where innovation and mutual growth coexist.
1Mini fab: A facility at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster that replicates the environment of a full-scale production fab. It is designed to verify the mass production reliability of products developed by MPE companies. The mini fab is also known as the “Trinity Fab,” symbolizing the collaboration between SK hynix, MPE companies, and the Korean government.
The M15X fab in Cheongju also highlights the benefits of SK hynix’s one-team spirit. At the M15X fab, which is targeted for completion in November 2025, the company plans to focus on the mass production of next-generation DRAM, including HBM2. This decision reflects the company’s strategic intent to significantly expand its DRAM production capacity beyond Icheon and into Cheongju.
2High Bandwidth Memory (HBM): A high-value, high-performance product that significantly enhances data processing speeds compared to conventional DRAMs by vertically stacking multiple DRAM chips.
In particular, M15X’s proximity to the main M15 facility will help maximize HBM production capabilities, as M15 is currently expanding its TSV3 capacity. The combined strength of the Icheon and Cheongju production hubs is expected to generate powerful synergy.
3Through-silicon via (TSV): A technology that connects vertically stacked DRAM chips by drilling thousands of microscopic holes through the silicon and linking the layers with vertical electrodes.
SK hynix’s one-team spirit is not limited to Korea, extending to the U.S. In 2024, the company announced plans to establish an advanced packaging production facility for AI memory in Indiana. The facility is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2028, and its mass-produced products will focus on next-generation HBM.
The site was selected based on the robust infrastructure in Indiana. The U.S. is home to many of the largest AI tech companies, while Indiana’s Purdue University is renowned for its advanced engineering research. The state was therefore deemed to be an ideal site for generating one-team synergy among global customers, local research institutions, and company partners.
SK hynix’s vision for the future entails leveraging its rich human and physical resources to foster strong collaboration and delivering customized memory products that address growing customer demands. Furthermore, the company is committed to revitalizing the global AI chip supply chain and innovating next-generation HBM and beyond.
SK hynix has successfully completed the blueprint for establishing an AI memory ecosystem connecting the local hubs of Icheon, Cheongju, and Yongin, while expanding this vision globally to Indiana. The one-team spirit demonstrated across these key sites will serve as a powerful driving force in fostering the future of the AI industry. Building on this momentum, SK hynix is poised to lead the AI era as a full stack AI memory provider, committed to shaping a new future for humanity.
