SK hynix Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony for an advanced packaging production facility for AI memory at Holloway Gymnasium at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, on August 27, 2026. The company announced the site will serve as its first high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production base in the United States, with a total expected investment of $4 billion according to the company.
What it means
The facility will focus on advanced packaging and testing rather than wafer fabrication. SK hynix stated that wafers produced in South Korea will be delivered to Indiana for these processes, with finished products supplied as “Made in USA” to U.S. customers. The company scheduled the cleanroom to open in October 2028 and mass production of next-generation HBM to begin in the second half of 2029. According to SK hynix, the site will employ 1,000 personnel during commercial operations and is estimated to create 7,000 direct and indirect local jobs during construction and subsequent operations.
An Advanced Packaging R&D Testbed will be built alongside the production lines. SK hynix signed a memorandum of understanding with Purdue University for research and development collaboration on advanced packaging. The company noted that more than 100 companies are being considered as suppliers for materials, components, and equipment. Additionally, SK Group established a recruitment partnership for discharged U.S. Forces Korea service members via the USFK Veterans Job Platform, operated by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korea-US Alliance Foundation.
Key facts
- $4 billion: Total expected investment in the Indiana fab (according to SK hynix)
- October 2028: Scheduled date for the cleanroom to open
- H2 2029: Scheduled start of mass production of next-generation HBM
- 1,000 personnel: Projected workforce during anticipated commercial operations (according to SK hynix)
- 7,000 jobs: Estimated direct and indirect local jobs created during construction and subsequent commercial operations (according to SK hynix)
- 100+ companies: Number of partners considered as suppliers for materials, components, and equipment
- West Lafayette, Indiana: Location of the facility at Purdue University
Source: SK hynix news release (PR Newswire)