SK hynix plans NAND output expansion in China

SK hynix is reportedly investing capital, staffing, and planning resources into its NAND Flash fab in Dalian, China, with plans to raise production by 50% in 2027. The facility is owned and operated by Solidigm, the NAND subsidiary created after SK hynix acquired Intel’s 3D NAND and SSD business in 2021.

The expansion would mark a resumption of activity in mainland China after a four-year project freeze. Export controls and a downturn in the NAND Flash market had stalled Solidigm and SK hynix’s earlier plans, limiting strategic direction from headquarters.

Solidigm currently produces about 100,000 wafers per month of NAND Flash, and the planned 50% increase in 2027 would lift output to approximately 150,000 wafers per month. The company also plans to begin producing floating gate 3D QLC NAND Flash with over 200 active storage layers per chip, supporting multi-terabyte SSDs for enterprise customers.

Global NAND Flash production is expected to balance with demand in 2027, making the added capacity timely even though it would represent only a small share of worldwide NAND Flash demand.