M16 plant boasts introduction of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment for the first time in SK hynix
SK hynix Inc. held a completion ceremony for its new fabrication plant M16 at headquarter located in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Since the initiation of the M16 construction in November 2018, SK hynix has invested a total of KRW 3.5 trillion and construction manpower of 3.34 million workers.
“It was worried when we decided to build M16 two years ago as the overall semiconductor memory was amid downturn back then. However, as the industry anticipates positive market condition upcoming it seems that our bold decision of the past will lead us to the better future”, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said at the ceremony, and made a remark saying, “M16 shall remain as a symbol not only for the completion of Company’s another broad plan, but also for the beginning point of Yongin Semiconductor Cluster”.
M16, which will be a manufacturing site mainly for DRAM products, boasts a building area of 57,000 square meters. The M16 plant is 336m long, 163m wide, and 105m high, reaching the height of the 37th floor of an apartment building. This is the largest among the domestic and overseas production sites of SK hynix.
Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment
M16 also boasts introduction of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment for the first time in SK hynix. The company plans to grow this plant as a next-generation growth source based on the cutting-edge infrastructure. It plans to produce 1a nm DRAM products from the second half of this year by utilizing the EUV equipment. Also, the company plans to increase the utilization of this equipment in the future to further strengthen the technology leadership in the advanced processing of semiconductor memories.
Seok-hee Lee, CEO at SK hynix said, “M16 is a complex manufacturing plant where cutting-edge infrastructures such as dedicated space for EUV equipment and advanced pollution reduction facilities are concentrated. It will become a production plant of a higher level that contributes to the ESG management as well as creating economic value.”
