SK海力士完成中国工厂升级，加速扩产

Core Viewpoint - SK Hynix has successfully upgraded its Wuxi factory, a significant DRAM production base in China, to a more advanced 1a process, enhancing its production capabilities despite U.S. sanctions on semiconductor technology [1][2] Group 1: Factory Upgrade and Production Capacity - The Wuxi factory's existing 1z process has been upgraded to the 1a process, with a monthly production capacity of 180,000 to 190,000 12-inch wafers, of which approximately 90% is now produced using the 1a process [1] - The Wuxi factory accounts for 30% to 40% of SK Hynix's total DRAM production, making the upgrade crucial for the company's overall output [1] - The transition to the 1a process, which requires extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology, was completed in two years, despite challenges posed by U.S. export restrictions on EUV equipment [1][2] Group 2: Strategic Importance and Future Plans - The Wuxi factory is vital not only for SK Hynix but also for the global semiconductor supply chain, as highlighted by the company's president, who emphasized the need to monitor U.S. regulatory developments closely [2] - SK Hynix plans to accelerate upgrades to its domestic DRAM wafer fabs to the sixth-generation 1c process, focusing investments on its M14 and M16 fabs in Icheon, South Korea [2] - The production structure will involve general DRAM products being manufactured in China, while advanced DRAM products will be produced in South Korea [2] Group 3: Market Demand and Expansion Plans - Due to surging demand for memory chips, SK Hynix is expediting the opening of a new factory by three months, with operations set to begin in February [4] - The company is responding to a global memory chip shortage that has increased prices for consumer electronics and slowed down data center construction for AI applications [4] - SK Hynix's CEO noted the necessity to support memory consumption for AI infrastructure, indicating a strategic partnership with Nvidia [4][5] Group 4: Market Trends and Financial Performance - The global memory chip market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with some product prices rising over 300% year-on-year due to increased demand from AI infrastructure [5] - SK Hynix has seen its stock price increase by 280% over the past year, solidifying its position as the second-largest memory chip manufacturer globally, following Samsung Electronics [5]