SK hynix customers offer to buy its EUV machines and fund new fabs as memory capacity hits zero amid crushing AI-driven shortages — worsening global shortages pry open wallets to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars

Major tech companies are offering to invest in SK hynix's new chip production lines and fund purchases of advanced manufacturing equipment to secure memory supply during a global shortage. These offers exceed standard supply agreements, with some customers proposing to fund dedicated memory production lines and cover the cost of ASML EUV lithography machines. SK hynix is considering these proposals cautiously, as accepting them could impact its independence. The memory industry, historically speculative, is now seeing customers co-invest in production infrastructure to secure supply amid worsening shortages. Discussions also involve new pricing mechanisms to address the supply-demand imbalance.