SK Hynix plans 8-fold boost to cutting-edge DRAM production in 2026

SK Hynix plans an 8-fold ramp-up for its 1c DRAM production in 2026

In 2026, SK Hynix plans to significantly increase DRAM production to counter today’s shortages. According to Korea Economic Daily, SK Hynix plans to rapidly ramp up production of its 6th-generation 1c, with an 8-fold increase planned for 2026.

With its new 1c DRAM, SK Hynix has increased yields, delivering greater cost-effectiveness. Additionally, SK Hynix has reportedly delivered an 11% speed boost and up to a 30% increase in power efficiency. By the end of this year, SK Hynix will have a 1c DRAM production capacity of 20,000 wafers per month. By the end of 2026, SK Hynix aims to increase production to 160,000 to 190,000 wafers.

Sadly, this increase in DRAM production will not end today’s DRAM shortage. 1c DRAM production increases will come through process migration at SK Hynix’s Icheon campus. This means that SK Hynix is replacing old DRAM production with new DRAM production. However, increased yields and productivity using SK Hynix’s new 6th-generation 10nm process will allow them to produce more DRAM chips and higher-density chips.

With its 8-fold production increase, SK Hynix 1c DRAM will account for much of the company’s 2026 production

Today, SK Hynix is estimated to produce around 500,000 wafers per month. This means that SK Hynix’s new 1c DRAM could account for as much as 30% of SK Hynix’s production capacity by the end of 2026. This new 1c DRAM will be used for manufacturing general-purpose DRAM chips. This includes DDR5, LPDDR, and GDDR7 memory.

SK Hynix will continue producing its older 1b and other memory types. By the end of this year, SK Hynix plans to open its “M15X” factory in its Cheongju campus. This factory will have a monthly input of 60,000 wafers. This production is expected to be dedicated to HBM4 memory chips for Nvidia.

Sadly, today’s DRAM shortages will not be alleviated by this new production. The manufacturing capacity of these new sites has already been allocated. Furthermore, it will take time for new production to have an impact on the overall memory market. Hopefully, SK Hynix and other DRAM makers can increase the productivity of their current factories, either by improving wafer yields or increasing wafer capacity. If DRAM producers can create more DRAM than expected, it will help alleviate shortages within the market. That said, today’s DRAM shortages aren’t expected to end until at least 2027.

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