Key Highlights
- SK Hynix disclosed an 11.95 trillion won (~$7.97 billion) purchase order for ASML’s EUV lithography equipment
- This represents the biggest single EUV equipment order ever made public by any ASML client
- Equipment delivery scheduled to complete by December 31, 2027 for deployment at two South Korean manufacturing sites
- Industry analysts estimate the order encompasses approximately 30 EUV systems
- SK Hynix shares surged 5.7% at close; ASML gained approximately 0.9% in Amsterdam trading
SK Hynix has executed one of the semiconductor industry’s most substantial equipment acquisitions, pledging close to $8 billion to acquire EUV systems from ASML. This strategic investment responds to escalating demand for high-bandwidth memory utilized in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The Korean memory manufacturer submitted regulatory filings on Tuesday, detailing its commitment to acquire 11.95 trillion won in extreme ultraviolet lithography equipment from ASML, with delivery completion targeted for December 31, 2027.
This transaction stands as the largest individual EUV equipment order ever publicly revealed by any ASML client globally.
The agreement was formally registered with South Korean regulatory authorities, establishing it as among the most openly documented major equipment acquisitions in recent industry history.
Strategic Deployment Plans for Advanced Equipment
The EUV systems will be installed across two manufacturing locations. The primary destination is SK Hynix’s emerging production facility in Yongin, where the company has expedited the opening schedule to February 2027. The secondary location is the M15X manufacturing complex in Cheongju, specifically configured for high-bandwidth memory chip fabrication.
Ryu Young-ho, an analyst with NH Investment & Securities, verified that these tools will support both HBM and next-generation DRAM manufacturing operations.
Bernstein analyst David Dao calculated the purchase encompasses roughly 30 new EUV systems to be delivered across a two-year timeline. This figure exceeds his earlier projection of 26 units.
EUV lithography systems carry price tags in the hundreds of millions per unit. They represent critical infrastructure for creating the microscopic circuit patterns necessary in today’s most sophisticated memory semiconductors.
ASML maintains exclusive global manufacturing capability for EUV technology. This monopolistic position renders its order pipeline a critical indicator for tracking advanced semiconductor production trends.
The Netherlands-based equipment manufacturer opted not to provide commentary on SK Hynix’s specific plans but disclosed an order backlog totaling 38.8 billion euros as of year-end 2025.
Investor Response
SK Hynix shares concluded Tuesday’s Seoul exchange session with a 5.7% gain. The upward momentum received additional support from a Korea Economic Daily article suggesting the company is evaluating a potential U.S. stock exchange listing that could generate up to $10 billion.
ASML shares advanced approximately 0.9% to reach 1,185.60 euros during mid-morning Amsterdam trading sessions.
This substantial order underscores the competitive intensity SK Hynix faces in its rivalry with Samsung Electronics to supply cutting-edge memory products for Nvidia’s AI processing platforms. Both Korean manufacturers are aggressively securing EUV manufacturing capacity in anticipation of robust future demand.
SK Hynix has compressed its Yongin facility development schedule, originally planned for later this decade, to achieve faster production activation.
The $7.97 billion pledge secures a considerable portion of ASML’s available near-term manufacturing capacity spanning two years.
While ASML maintains Samsung and TSMC among its principal EUV clients, no previously disclosed single order has approached the magnitude of Tuesday’s announcement from SK Hynix.
