[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  Jukan [@Jukanlosreve](/creator/twitter/Jukanlosreve) on x 22.6K followers Created: 2025-07-14 07:13:40 UTC Report: SK hynix's M16 DRAM Production Nears Maximum Capacity… China's DRAM Production Share to 'Plummet' to XX% Level SK hynix's M16 fab in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, which has been undergoing expansion investments since last year, is expected to reach its all-time high production capacity in the second half of this year. This level will rival the XXXXXXX wafers per quarter (approximately XXXXXXX wafers per month) at SK hynix's largest DRAM production hub, its Wuxi fab in China. SK hynix plans to reduce its reliance on the Wuxi fab starting next year to mitigate China-related risks. According to industry sources on the 14th, the production capacity of SK hynix's Icheon M16, where expansion investments have been underway, is expected to reach its maximum capacity within the year, catching up with the production volume of the Wuxi fab in China. As of Q3, M16's average monthly wafer input is around XXXXXXX units, an increase of approximately XX% compared to the same period last year (100,000 units). This represents a 2-3 fold increase in production capacity compared to Q1 last year. SK hynix is known to have placed orders for key equipment to be used in the M16 expansion investment with major equipment suppliers in the second half of last year. This included equipment for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) DRAM and general-purpose DRAM used in various electronic devices. Equipment began to be delivered to M16 in earnest from Q4 last year, and setup work to expand production capacity fully commenced early this year. Consequently, M16 has become one of the two main pillars of DRAM production, alongside the Wuxi fab in China, replacing Icheon M14, which was SK hynix's largest domestic DRAM production base. While M14's DRAM production volume was more than double that of M16 until last year, M16's production volume surpassed it as of Q3 this year. Domestic DRAM production has also reached approximately X million units, exceeding two-thirds of the total DRAM production (approximately XXX million units). The industry expects the proportion of DRAM production from the Wuxi fab to gradually decrease. While the Wuxi fab held the largest share of SK hynix's total DRAM production until last year, SK hynix has been working to adjust its production capacity as the import of 10nm-class DRAM equipment has not been smooth due to regulations from the U.S. government. In particular, if the U.S. restrictions on equipment imports are prolonged, there is a possibility that equipment replacement and repair may not be carried out in a timely manner, leading to production disruptions. If the Trump administration refuses "Verified End-User" (VEU) approval, SK hynix's Wuxi fab, which uses U.S.-made equipment, could face operational difficulties. An official familiar with SK hynix explained, "The average monthly DRAM production at the Wuxi fab has recently been stagnant at around 160,000-170,000 units. The number of layers using Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment in next-generation DRAM processes is increasing, but the import of EUV equipment to China is controlled by the U.S., leading to inefficiencies in the DRAM production process." Meanwhile, SK hynix is also accelerating the operation of M15X, following M16. M15X is expected to be completed around November, and equipment orders are anticipated around that time. The industry expects trial production to begin early next year, with some small-volume production starting in Q2 next year. M15X is projected to reach its maximum production capacity around 2027.  XXXXXX engagements  **Related Topics** [fab](/topic/fab) [alltime](/topic/alltime) [dram](/topic/dram) [Post Link](https://x.com/Jukanlosreve/status/1944656524237774953)
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Jukan @Jukanlosreve on x 22.6K followers
Created: 2025-07-14 07:13:40 UTC
Report: SK hynix's M16 DRAM Production Nears Maximum Capacity… China's DRAM Production Share to 'Plummet' to XX% Level
SK hynix's M16 fab in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, which has been undergoing expansion investments since last year, is expected to reach its all-time high production capacity in the second half of this year. This level will rival the XXXXXXX wafers per quarter (approximately XXXXXXX wafers per month) at SK hynix's largest DRAM production hub, its Wuxi fab in China. SK hynix plans to reduce its reliance on the Wuxi fab starting next year to mitigate China-related risks.
According to industry sources on the 14th, the production capacity of SK hynix's Icheon M16, where expansion investments have been underway, is expected to reach its maximum capacity within the year, catching up with the production volume of the Wuxi fab in China. As of Q3, M16's average monthly wafer input is around XXXXXXX units, an increase of approximately XX% compared to the same period last year (100,000 units). This represents a 2-3 fold increase in production capacity compared to Q1 last year.
SK hynix is known to have placed orders for key equipment to be used in the M16 expansion investment with major equipment suppliers in the second half of last year. This included equipment for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) DRAM and general-purpose DRAM used in various electronic devices. Equipment began to be delivered to M16 in earnest from Q4 last year, and setup work to expand production capacity fully commenced early this year.
Consequently, M16 has become one of the two main pillars of DRAM production, alongside the Wuxi fab in China, replacing Icheon M14, which was SK hynix's largest domestic DRAM production base. While M14's DRAM production volume was more than double that of M16 until last year, M16's production volume surpassed it as of Q3 this year. Domestic DRAM production has also reached approximately X million units, exceeding two-thirds of the total DRAM production (approximately XXX million units).
The industry expects the proportion of DRAM production from the Wuxi fab to gradually decrease. While the Wuxi fab held the largest share of SK hynix's total DRAM production until last year, SK hynix has been working to adjust its production capacity as the import of 10nm-class DRAM equipment has not been smooth due to regulations from the U.S. government.
In particular, if the U.S. restrictions on equipment imports are prolonged, there is a possibility that equipment replacement and repair may not be carried out in a timely manner, leading to production disruptions. If the Trump administration refuses "Verified End-User" (VEU) approval, SK hynix's Wuxi fab, which uses U.S.-made equipment, could face operational difficulties.
An official familiar with SK hynix explained, "The average monthly DRAM production at the Wuxi fab has recently been stagnant at around 160,000-170,000 units. The number of layers using Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment in next-generation DRAM processes is increasing, but the import of EUV equipment to China is controlled by the U.S., leading to inefficiencies in the DRAM production process."
Meanwhile, SK hynix is also accelerating the operation of M15X, following M16. M15X is expected to be completed around November, and equipment orders are anticipated around that time. The industry expects trial production to begin early next year, with some small-volume production starting in Q2 next year. M15X is projected to reach its maximum production capacity around 2027.
XXXXXX engagements
