SEOUL – SK hynix Inc., recognized globally as the second-largest memory chip manufacturer, anticipates a substantial growth in its high bandwidth memory (HBM) chip sales as a proportion of its total DRAM sales. This forecast, shared by CEO Kwak Noh-jung during a general shareholders meeting on Wednesday, highlights the company's strategic positioning in the rapidly evolving AI computing sector.
According to Yonhap News Agency, HBM chips, which are pivotal for AI computing, constituted a single-digit percentage of SK hynix's overall DRAM sales last year. However, this figure is expected to leap into double digits in the current year, significantly benefiting the company's profitability. The increasing deployment of generative AI applications, such as ChatGPT, has amplified the demand for these high-performance chips.
SK hynix has established itself as a frontrunner in the HBM market, especially with the commencement of mass production of the cutting-edge fifth-generation HBM3E chips. These chips are set to be supplied to Nvidia, a leading U.S. AI chip conglomerate, thereby reinforcing SK hynix's crucial position within the AI computing supply chain.
Kwak underscored the company's commitment to maintaining market leadership by enhancing the competitiveness of its HBM offerings. He also addressed recent speculations about SK hynix's intentions to construct an advanced chip packaging facility in Indiana. While clarifying that no decision has been finalized, Kwak indicated that the company is actively exploring its options, reflecting SK hynix's ongoing efforts to adapt and thrive in the dynamic global chip industry.