Memory shortages and price increases have caused many industries around the world to face crises. However, the three giants Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron were not very willing to increase production capacity before. After all, their profits can soar more than five times a year at current prices. But if we don’t increase production capacity for a long time, there will be a backlash. The good news is that SK Hynix is now taking action.They will spend 119.5 trillion won to purchase ASML's EUV lithography machines to increase the production capacity of new products.
The converted amount is about 8 billion U.S. dollars or more than 55 billion yuan. Although SK Hynix did not mention the specific number of units,However, EUV lithography machines usually cost around US$200 million, and the number is estimated to be 30-40 units.
Each chip production line usually requires four photolithography machines, which works out to almost ten production lines, which is expected to significantly increase SK Hynix's advanced memory chip production capacity.
These orders are until the end of December 2027, which means that global memory production capacity is expected to increase to a higher level in the next 2-3 years.
EUV lithography machines have not been used for memory production for many years, and mass production is mainly based on 1c-level advanced processes. Considering the current situation, it is estimated that they are mainly used for HBM memory.
It can be predicted that global memory production capacity will increase significantly in the next two years, but they are mainly used for the AI market, and everyone's expectations should not be too high.
For ordinary consumers, even if EUV lithography machines can produce DDR memory chips, they are unlikely to bring down the price soon.From equipment delivery to installation and commissioning to production, it is almost 3 years later, so keep going.
