Intel has seen a wave of major deals this year with names like Elon Musk's SpaceX, TSMC, and Google's multi-year collaboration, so it's clear the company has been busy. But it isn't done partnering up. According to anonymous sources cited by Reuters, Intel and SK hynix are reportedly in talks to start DRAM production lines in the United States.
Multiple options are reportedly under consideration for how this venture could come together, including leasing space at Intel's under-construction, multi-billion-dollar chip fabrication site in Ohio or forming a joint venture involving Intel, AI hyperscalers, fabless chip designers, and other companies desperate for DRAM. Since these firms would likely consume all the DRAM produced in the coming years, both Intel and SK hynix would have a substantial financial interest in the joint venture succeeding.
It's unclear what type of chips SK hynix might manufacture in Ohio if an agreement is struck, but the primary goal reportedly remains producing regular planar DRAM, HBM, and some NAND flash storage solutions. For Intel, partnering with a dominant memory leader like SK hynix, which has plans to triple its memory chip production and output by 2034, offers a strategic way to maximize capacity and validate its foundry model at its heavily delayed Ohio site.
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As a refresher, Intel announced back in 2022 that it would invest $100 billion to build what could become the world's largest chipmaking complex in Ohio, with production originally scheduled to begin in 2025. Completion of the site's two plants has since been delayed to 2030 and 2031.
There are also concerns that Seoul might object to such an investment. When asked about a potential SK hynix plan to produce chips in the US, the South Korean trade ministry said the decision would be solely the company's own, but that if it involves "national core technology," a review under the South Korean Industrial Technology Protection Act would be required before any announcement.
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That said, nothing has been finalized yet, so this should be treated as a rumor until the company announces an official decision. Previously, SK Group chairperson Chey Tae-won told reporters in July, "I think we need to build a factory in the United States. If possible, I believe we should build it," amid enormous pressure and lobbying from customers and countries to secure more chip supply.
