Editor's Note: This article is the fourth installment in our series on Asia's top 100 companies, exploring the strategies, challenges, and innovations driving the region's most influential corporations.
SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - In a pivotal moment for the global semiconductor industry, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has lauded SK hynix's cutting-edge high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technology as surpassing even NVIDIA's rigorous requirements.
This endorsement, shared during a meeting with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won at CES 2025, underscores SK hynix’s ascent to a leadership position in the fiercely competitive AI memory sector.
SK hynix's HBM products, which boast 30 percent better thermal performance than those of competitors, have become indispensable in powering artificial intelligence applications. Such technological advances are critical in an era where AI-driven computing demands ever-increasing efficiency and speed.
At the heart of SK hynix’s dominance lies its HBM technology, essential for artificial intelligence applications. Its latest offering, HBM3E, achieves groundbreaking data processing speeds of 1.15 terabytes per second through innovative 16-layer stacking technology, enabling a 48GB capacity.
Proprietary thermal management systems further enhance performance, making the chips a favorite for high-performance computing tasks.
Beyond HBM, SK hynix excels across multiple memory sectors. Its LPDDR5X DRAM offers speeds of up to 10.5Gbps for mobile devices, while its NAND Flash technology, exemplified by its 96-layer QLC 4D NAND, continues to set new industry standards.
To sustain its technological edge, SK hynix has implemented a comprehensive restructuring, creating specialized divisions for AI infrastructure, future technologies, and corporate strategy.
Notably, the promotion of Ahn Hyun to president of solution development reinforces the company’s focus on innovation.
The company’s strategic approach has yielded impressive financial results. It reported its highest annual earnings in history for 2024 with an operating profit of 23.47 trillion won ($17.6 billion).
Legacy of innovation
Founded in 1983 as Hyundai Electronics Industries, SK hynix has transformed from a modest electronics manufacturer into a global semiconductor leader.
The company operates advanced production facilities in South Korea and China and research centers spanning 10 countries. Over the decades, SK hynix has achieved key milestones, including the development of the world’s first 256Mb SDRAM in 1995 and its merger with LG Semiconductor in 1999.
The company’s turning point came in 2012, when SK Telecom became its largest shareholder, rebranding the firm as SK hynix.
Today, under CEO Kwak No-jung - credited with driving the company’s HBM success story - SK hynix continues to lead the industry in high-value memory products.
SK hynix’s collaboration with NVIDIA, which integrates HBM3E chips into NVIDIA’s advanced "Blackwell" processors, exemplifies its strategic partnerships with AI industry leaders. Looking forward, the company is developing HBM4, scheduled for production in 2026, to push the boundaries of AI hardware performance.
As Chairman Chey Tae-won declared, “AI is not an option anymore - it’s a necessity.” With its superior memory technology and strong market positioning, SK hynix is poised to lead the next wave of innovation in AI, machine learning, and data center solutions.
From its origins as a domestic electronics manufacturer to its current status as a global semiconductor powerhouse, SK hynix’s journey reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence.
As the demand for high-performance computing grows, the company’s strategic vision and technological prowess ensure it will remain a pivotal player in shaping the future of AI-driven innovation.
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