Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
SK hynix reportedly links US fab plans to equipment access in China
SK hynix’s Solidigm unit reportedly wants US approval to send more chipmaking equipment to its factory in Dalian, China.
In return, it may commit to building a NAND chip factory in the US, according to people cited in reporting.
Solidigm has reportedly considered upstate New York for the plant, but no location is confirmed.
SK hynix says it is not seeking to expand capacity at the Dalian facility, and says equipment installation there is being carried out with US authorization.
US rules restrict chip equipment exports to China over national security concerns, while Washington has also encouraged foreign chipmakers to build factories in the US.
The proposed deal links US investment with access to equipment in China, where SK hynix already has a factory.
NAND chips are used in storage drives, and rising demand from AI data centers has pushed up prices; a research firm expects NAND prices to rise 15% to 20% in the fourth quarter.
Whether the US approves the requested equipment shipments and Solidigm proceeds with a US plant remains unclear.
SK hynix is reportedly seeking U.S. approval to send more chipmaking equipment to its Dalian facility in China in exchange for a commitment to build a NAND factory in the United States.
Reuters reported that the request concerns installing equipment in spare space at the Dalian factory to boost NAND production.
SK hynix told TechCrunch it is not seeking to expand capacity at the Dalian Mod B facility.
The company said equipment installation is being carried out in consultation with and under authorization from the U.S. government.
Upstate New York is being considered as a possible location for the U.S. factory.
- Who
- SK hynix’s flash memory unit, Solidigm, is reportedly seeking U.S. approval. SK hynix told TechCrunch it is not seeking to expand capacity at its Dalian Mod B facility.
- What
- Solidigm is reportedly linking a U.S. NAND factory commitment to approval for more chipmaking equipment at its facility in China.
- When
- The reports were published on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- The proposed factory would be in the United States, with upstate New York under consideration; the existing facility is in Dalian, China.
- Why
- The reported equipment installation would use spare space at the Dalian facility to boost NAND chip production.
Reuters-cited sources
SK hynix
Dalian capacity expansion
Reuters-cited sources
The sources say Solidigm wants to install more equipment at the Dalian facility to boost NAND production.
SK hynix
SK hynix told TechCrunch it is not seeking to expand capacity at the Dalian Mod B facility.
The U.S. imposed sweeping restrictions on exports of advanced chips and chipmaking equipment to China, citing national security concerns.
The U.S. further tightened the restrictions, and SK hynix’s Dalian Mod B facility was completed.
The Trump administration revoked special export exemptions for certain SK hynix, Samsung and Intel facilities in China.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said he wanted Samsung and SK hynix to build chip plants in the United States and was in talks with both companies.
Reports said Solidigm was seeking U.S. approval for additional equipment shipments to Dalian in connection with a proposed U.S. factory.
- Parent company
- SK hynix
- U.S. flash memory unit
- Solidigm
- China facility
- Dalian Mod B
- Facility completion
- 2023
- Possible U.S. location
- Upstate New York
- Report date
- October 15, 2026