SK Hynix announces a $15 billion investment plan for the new factory in Yongin, with the first cleanroom going into production ahead of schedule

SK Hynix is advancing its capacity layout in South Korea with a more aggressive capital expenditure pace, locking in supply capabilities for high-performance, high-capacity semiconductors in advance against the backdrop of rapidly rising demand for artificial intelligence and data centers, while strengthening the stability of its supply system.

According to Bloomberg, SK Hynix stated in regulatory filings and announcements that it will invest 21.6 trillion won in the Yongin semiconductor cluster in South Korea, approximately 15 billion USD, for the construction of its first factory, while simultaneously advancing the construction of five cleanroom facilities from the second to the sixth phase.

The company has also raised its production pace expectations, with the first cleanroom's operational date moved up from May 2027 to February 2027, to respond more quickly to global customer demand and enhance operational flexibility amid future demand changes.

For investors, this decision means the company will signal the release of new production capacity earlier, and the scale of investment in the first factory has been further elevated, with the overall investment in the Yongin cluster clearly indicated by the company to be "significantly increased," making capital expenditure and future supply pace a focus of market attention.

Investment Framework: Advancing the First Factory and Simultaneously Rolling Out Cleanrooms from the Second to the Sixth Phase

SK Hynix's investment will cover two main lines, one is to complete the structural construction of the first factory, and the other is to build five cleanroom facilities from the second phase to the sixth phase. The disclosed investment period is from March 2026 to December 2030.

The company stated that this is a strategic investment decision aimed at actively responding to the rapid growth of global customer demand and further enhancing the stability of the supply system.

Production Pace: First Cleanroom Advanced to February 2027

SK Hynix has moved the operational date of the first cleanroom from May 2027 to February 2027. The company attributes this advancement to on-site safety and efficient process management.

An earlier launch means entering the operational phase sooner, providing the company with greater flexibility to adjust in the face of future demand fluctuations, especially in a demand upcycle to realize capacity expansion more quickly.

Capital Expenditure Increase: Total Investment in the First Factory Approximately 31 Trillion Won

This investment of 21.6 trillion won will raise the cumulative investment scale for the construction of the first factory to approximately 31 trillion won. This total includes the 9.4 trillion won facility investment previously announced by the company in July 2024.

The company also stated that the expected investment scale for the Yongin cluster will be "significantly increased" compared to previous levels, emphasizing its commitment to expanding production ahead of schedule. For the market, this reinforces the signal of "preemptive expansion," making cash flow and capital expenditure arrangements more visible in the coming years.

Industrial Ecosystem: Plans to Introduce Over 50 Partner Companies to Create Cluster Synergy

In addition to production lines and cleanroom construction, SK Hynix has proposed building an ecosystem involving over 50 semiconductor partner companies within the park, promoting growth through closer collaboration and synergy.

The company's goal is to develop the Yongin semiconductor cluster into a world-class semiconductor center leading the global market. Under the dual objectives of demand-driven growth and supply chain stability, clustered investment will also become an important lever for its capacity expansion and supply system management