Intel seeks partner for Ohio semiconductor fab
Intel announced it is evaluating a range of companies to partner on operating its Ohio chip‑manufacturing facility, opting for a joint‑operation model instead of an outright sale. South Korean memory maker SK Hynix is listed among the candidates, although the two firms have not entered formal negotiations and the discussions are described as being in very early stages. SK Hynix publicly denied a media report that it was negotiating to acquire the Ohio campus and reiterated that it does not plan to purchase the facility.
The market reacted with Intel shares gaining roughly 1% in after‑hours trading, while SK Hynix stock rose about 3.2% following the news. Intel has been forming agreements with competitors and customers since the U.S. government took a strategic equity stake in the company last year. Over the past twelve months Intel’s share price has increased 161%, reflecting its collaboration with the Trump administration to expand domestic chip‑making capacity.
Intel broke ground on the Ohio site in 2022 and originally announced a $28 billion investment for the campus. The plant, Intel’s first new chip‑manufacturing facility in four decades, missed its initial 2025 operational target and, after a series of layoffs, the opening date has been pushed back to 2030.
Key figures: $28 billion planned investment; original target year 2025, revised target year 2030; Intel share price +1% (after‑hours); SK Hynix share price +3.2%.
Regulatory context: The partnership search follows the U.S. government’s strategic stake acquisition in Intel, underscoring policy‑driven efforts to boost domestic semiconductor capacity.