SK Hynix CEO: Memory industry to face unprecedented shortage next year
SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung predicts the global DRAM memory sector will face its most severe shortage in history next year. He believes the supply deficit could persist into the next decade.
Seoul, South Korea – SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung has warned that the global DRAM memory industry is entering a period of significant supply constraints. In an interview with Reuters, he described next year as potentially the most challenging in the industry's history, forecasting a situation where demand will outstrip supply for an extended period.
"We expect next year to be the most difficult year in the history of the memory industry from a supply perspective," Kwak stated. He cited continuously growing customer demand alongside limitations in SK Hynix's production capacity as key factors. The CEO anticipates that the supply deficit could continue beyond 2030.
Kwak also indicated that the United States remains a candidate location for SK Hynix's future wafer fabrication plants, though no final decision has been made. The company prioritizes regions offering ample land, power, water, and a skilled workforce, combined with competitive manufacturing costs.
SK Hynix is a major global supplier of memory semiconductors. A prolonged shortage of these components could impact the broader electronics market, potentially affecting pricing and availability across various sectors, including consumer electronics, personal computers, and data centers.