SK hynix Places Record $7.9B ASML EUV Order to Dominate HBM4 Supply Chain

SK hynix disclosed on March 24 that it has placed the largest single EUV equipment order ever publicly announced, committing approximately 11.9 trillion won ($7.9 billion) for around 30 ASML EUV lithography machines to be delivered by the end of 2027. The machines will support SK hynix's transition to its advanced 1c DRAM node and underpin mass production of HBM4 and LPDDR6 memory for AI workloads. The order dwarfs previous ASML deals in size and signals the intensifying race among DRAM makers to secure lithography capacity before supply of EUV systems tightens further. UBS analysts estimate SK hynix will capture roughly 70% of NVIDIA's HBM4 demand for the upcoming Vera Rubin platform, giving it a commanding lead over Samsung and Micron. The investment reinforces SK hynix's status as the world's most advanced HBM supplier and raises the barrier to entry for competitors seeking to close the gap on next-generation AI memory.