SK hynix hosted the 2025 Shared Growth Committee General Meeting on April 25 at Grand Walkerhill Seoul, sharing with partner companies the committee’s operational plans for the year and the company’s latest business updates.
Established by SK hynix in 2001 to strengthen mutual growth and cooperation with the company’s partners, the Shared Growth Committee holds an annual general meeting to discuss the semiconductor market outlook, collaboration initiatives, and joint response strategies.
This year’s general meeting was attended by SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-Jung, senior executives, and representatives from 92 partner companies. With the arrival of the AI era, participants reaffirmed the importance of their mutual growth and cooperation amid the changes in the semiconductor industry.
Vice President Hyunchul Lee, head of Procurement Strategy, presents plans for mutual growth and cooperation with partners
The meeting covered SK hynix’s latest business trends, market outlook, and a variety of win-win growth programs designed to strengthen its partner companies’ competitiveness. This year’s key joint initiatives were shared within each subcommittee for materials, components, equipment, and infrastructure. SK hynix believes that the growth of its partners is linked to its own growth, and is committed to leading practical, on-site collaboration required by its partners and enhancing their technological competitiveness.
In addition, SK hynix plans to expand its longstanding technology, management, finance, and education win-win growth programs. Currently, the company is operating several projects to share its technological infrastructure, including designating “Innovative Tech Companies,” providing pattern wafer support, and maintaining its analysis and measurement support program. SK hynix also supports the financial operations of its partners through a low-interest, co-prosperity fund. Moreover, the company contributes to cultivating semiconductor talent and upgrading its talent pool through various educational platforms such as Youth Hy-Five, a recruitment program for young talent, and Semiconductor Academy, a training initiative aimed at strengthening employees’ capabilities.
“Breakthroughs in AI memory technologies such as HBM were made possible because SK hynix and committee member companies strengthened their cooperation based on deep trust,” said Chuljoo Hwang, Chairman of the Shared Growth Committee and CEO of Jusung Engineering. “We will continue to drive innovation together by reinforcing our partnerships with even greater trust and continuing our shared growth initiatives.”
SK hynix CEO Kwak said: “The deep trust and family-like solidarity of our partners here today is clear to see. SK hynix has been able to successfully navigate the AI era thanks to the dedication and support of our partners in materials, components, equipment, and infrastructure. Although external uncertainties are increasing, just as we have overcome challenges together in the past, we will continue to grow through our ‘one-team’ partnerships.”
Interview: Partners Ask, SK hynix Answers
In the rapidly changing AI technology environment and amid growing global uncertainties, inter-company collaboration has become more important than ever to swiftly respond to change and strengthen competitiveness. To learn more about SK hynix’s partnership plans, the newsroom spoke with the company’s Vice President Seonghan Kim, head of Procurement, along with two partner CEOs. Kim spoke about SK hynix’s efforts to strengthen mutual growth and cooperation with its partners and revitalize the semiconductor ecosystem, as well as practical issues which partners would want to know more about.
Weonyang Yu: “I’m CEO of TEMC, a company that produces specialty gases used in semiconductor manufacturing. I believe SK hynix has elevated its win-win growth programs to a high level through initiatives such as operating a co-prosperity fund, supporting testbeds for technology development, educational programs such as the Semiconductor Academy, and recruitment support schemes like Youth Hy-Five.
“SK hynix is currently leading the AI semiconductor market and is expected to drive further advancement across the entire industry ecosystem. What collaborative strategies are being planned with partner companies to maintain this competitive edge?”
Seonghan Kim: “The solid support of our partners has been the foundation of SK hynix’s achievements so far. To ensure continued growth as a leader in AI memory, we are committed to further strengthening trust and mutual collaboration with partners.
“To this end, the company is supporting its partners’ technology development through various infrastructure-sharing projects such as designating ‘Innovative Tech Companies’, offering pattern wafer support, and continuing its analysis and measurement support project. SK hynix also plans to strengthen multilateral collaboration frameworks and actively offer its own technological infrastructure, enabling partners to enhance process stability and gain early access to next-generation technologies. The upcoming completion of the Trinity Fab1 at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster is also expected to serve as a key platform that will significantly improve the competitiveness of partner companies.”
1Trinity Fab: A mini fabrication facility being built at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. It is designed to be used to test the mass production reliability of products developed by materials, components, and equipment companies under the same conditions as actual high-volume semiconductor fabs. The name “Trinity FAB” signifies the united effort of SK hynix, the Korean government, and materials, parts, and equipment companies working together to strengthen Korea’s semiconductor competitiveness.
Jaehong Yun: “I’m CEO of Edwards Korea, a company that manufactures vacuum pumps for semiconductor production. SK hynix is actively working to maximize collaborative synergies for the development of innovative technologies while also providing support in a wide range of fields including technology, finance, education, recruitment, and ESG.
“As we move into the AI era, materials, parts, and equipment partners increasingly need test environments equivalent to mass production lines to respond quickly to advanced technology. In this regard, what role will the Trinity Fab at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster play?”
Seonghan Kim: “Construction of the Trinity Fab officially began in February 2025 at the same time of the groundbreaking of the first fab at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. It is expected to serve as a testbed (mini fab) for advanced semiconductor development.
“This fab will be equipped with advanced infrastructure based on 12-inch wafers, replicating the same environment as actual mass production lines. This will enable partner companies to verify the mass-production feasibility of products developed in-house through demonstration testing. As the first step, about 40 units of the latest process and analysis equipment that is tailored to the needs of our partner companies will be prioritized for installation.
“The Trinity Fab will be operated as a non-profit foundation. It will function as an open platform accessible not only to partners but also to research institutions, academia, startups, and other stakeholders, thereby further enhancing the competitiveness of the semiconductor ecosystem.
“For SK hynix, its partners are more than just collaborators; they are considered to be part of ‘one team’. They are partners for building a successful business and serve as key collaborators in further solidifying our AI memory leadership. Moving forward, we will continue to listen closely to our partners and work to strengthen mutual trust so that we can grow together.”
