SK Hynix Reportedly Ties US NAND Factory to China Chip Equipment Approvals

SK Hynix reportedly seeks U.S. approval to export additional American chipmaking equipment to its Dalian, China, factory as part of negotiations over a potential semiconductor manufacturing investment in the United States.

According to Reuters, citing unnamed sources, the company’s Solidigm subsidiary wants permission to install equipment at its Chinese facility before committing to a new U.S. factory. SUSnix disputed claims that it intends to expand production capacity at Dalian, saying it is installing the equipment with U.S. government authorisation.

Solidigm Considers US NAND Factory Amid Rising Demand

Solidigm is reportedly considering a NAND flash memory factory in the United States, with upstate New York among the potential locations. No final investment decision has been announced.

NAND flash memory is widely used in solid-state drives in computers, smartphones, and AI data centres. Growing demand for enterprise storage has tightened supplies, with TrendForce forecasting NAND prices to rise 15% to 20% in the fourth quarter of 2026.

U.S. Export Controls Complicate SK Hynix’s Plans

Washington introduced sweeping restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports to China in October 2022 and tightened the rules in 2023, citing national security concerns.

In September 2025, the Trump administration revoked special equipment export exemptions for certain SK Hynix, Samsung and Intel facilities in China. The U.S. subsequently granted annual export approvals to Samsung and SK Hynix, allowing shipments of manufacturing equipment under government authorisation.

The restrictions complicate SK Hynix’s efforts to maintain its Chinese operations while Washington encourages semiconductor companies to expand American production.

U.S. Investment and Solidigm IPO Plans

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has pressed Samsung and SK Hynix to increase U.S. memory-chip manufacturing. In July, he confirmed discussions with both companies about potential domestic investments.

Solidigm is also reportedly preparing for a U.S. IPO in 2027. According to Bloomberg, the listing could raise approximately $10 billion and value the company at up to $100 billion.

The proposed factory and any connection between its development and additional Chinese export approvals remain unconfirmed. The negotiations highlight the challenge facing global chipmakers: rising AI infrastructure demand pressures them to increase memory production, while U.S.-China technology restrictions limit their options.