Applied Materials and SK hynix Announce Long-Term R&D Partnership to Accelerate AI Memory Innovation at EPIC Center in Silicon Valley
Rhea-AI Summary
Applied Materials (NYSE: AMAT) and SK hynix announced a long-term R&D collaboration to accelerate next-generation DRAM and HBM innovations at Applied’s new EPIC Center in Silicon Valley.
The agreement makes SK hynix a founding partner, establishes co-innovation programs in materials, process integration and 3D advanced packaging, and ties to Applied’s $5 billion EPIC Center investment.
Positive
- EPIC Center investment of approximately $5 billion in U.S. advanced equipment R&D
- SK hynix named founding partner to co-locate engineers and accelerate joint development
- Targeted programs on DRAM, HBM, materials engineering, and 3D advanced packaging
Negative
- Higher capital commitments: EPIC Center spending expected to scale to approximately $5 billion over time
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Key semiconductor equipment peers LRCX (+8.3%), KLAC (+8.03%), TER (+11.7%), ENTG (+5.97%) and ASML (+5.65%) all showed strong gains while AMAT was up 4.37%, indicating broader strength in related names even though the momentum scanner did not flag a sector-wide move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24 | Supplier awards | Positive | +1.2% | Recognition of 12 suppliers for quality, service and sustainability performance. |
| Feb 17 | Investor conferences | Neutral | +1.2% | Management participation in two March 2026 investor conferences with webcasts. |
| Feb 12 | Earnings results | Positive | +8.1% | Q1 FY2026 revenue, EPS and cash generation with Q2 guidance provided. |
| Feb 11 | Regulatory settlement | Negative | -3.4% | Civil settlement with BIS involving a <b>$252.5 million</b> payment over China shipments. |
| Feb 11 | EPIC partner news | Positive | +3.3% | Samsung joining the planned <b>$5 billion</b> EPIC Center as a founding member. |
Recent news catalysts have generally seen price moves that align with the qualitative tone of the announcements, including earnings, EPIC Center partnerships and regulatory resolutions.
Over the last few weeks, Applied Materials reported Q1 FY2026 results with revenue of $7.01 billion and non‑GAAP EPS of $2.38, followed by Q2 guidance of $7.65 billion ± $500 million in revenue and non‑GAAP EPS of $2.64 ± $0.20. The company resolved a U.S. export‑control matter with a $252.5 million payment and announced Samsung as a founding member of its planned $5 billion EPIC Center. Supplier awards and conference participation rounded out a period of steady, AI‑driven ecosystem engagement, to which the new SK hynix partnership directly relates.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a long-term R&D collaboration between Applied Materials and SK hynix focused on next‑generation DRAM, high‑bandwidth memory and 3D advanced packaging for AI. It builds on the company’s EPIC Center strategy, including a planned $5 billion Silicon Valley R&D investment and prior partnerships such as Samsung’s founding membership. In context of recent earnings, regulatory resolution and insider activity, investors may watch how this alliance translates into future memory and packaging tool demand.
Key Terms
dram technical
high-bandwidth memory technical
heterogeneous integration technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Joint R&D programs focused on advancing materials engineering and advanced packaging innovations for next-generation DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM)
- Opening this year, Applied’s EPIC Center is designed to provide chipmakers and ecosystem partners with earlier access to Applied’s R&D portfolio, faster cycles of learning and accelerated transfer of next-generation technologies into high-volume manufacturing
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Materials, Inc. today announced a long-term collaboration agreement with SK hynix Inc. to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) essential for AI and high-performance computing. Engineers from both companies will work side-by-side at Applied’s EPIC Center in Silicon Valley to advance innovation in materials, process integration and 3D advanced packaging as memory architectures move beyond current production nodes.
“Applied Materials and SK hynix share a long history of working together to improve the energy-efficient performance of advanced memory chips through innovations in materials engineering,” said Gary Dickerson, President and CEO of Applied Materials. “We are excited to have SK hynix join the EPIC Center as a founding partner, and we look forward to driving further breakthroughs together that accelerate commercialization of next-generation DRAM and HBM technologies for the AI era.”
“The continued scaling of AI systems is driving unprecedented demand for energy-efficient memory technologies,” said Nohjung Kwak, President and CEO of SK hynix. “One of the biggest hurdles in AI progress is the growing disconnect between memory speeds and advances in processors. Our advanced memory technologies are paving the way for faster and more energy-efficient data processing, and we look forward to partnering with Applied Materials at the new EPIC Center to deliver a roadmap of innovations that enable the next generation of memory solutions optimized for AI.”
Applied and SK hynix have signed a comprehensive technology development agreement to jointly address long‑term semiconductor R&D challenges for next‑generation memory. The initial set of co‑innovation programs will focus on exploring new materials, complex integration schemes and enabling HBM-class advanced packaging, with the goal of improving the performance and manufacturability of future memory architectures. The collaboration will leverage the EPIC Center’s high-velocity co-innovation model, where SK hynix engineers will work directly alongside Applied technologists to accelerate development of new technologies. SK hynix will also take advantage of Applied’s industry-leading advanced packaging R&D capabilities in Singapore, connecting device-level innovation with heterogeneous integration to address emerging challenges of 3D advanced packaging.
“Continued progress in memory increasingly relies on materials engineering innovations across both the device and packaging level,” said Dr. Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials. “By combining the power of the EPIC Center in Silicon Valley with Applied’s advanced packaging capabilities in Singapore, our collaboration with SK hynix will enable us to co‑optimize the entire technology stack and accelerate the path to manufacturable memory innovations.”
“Advancing memory technology for the AI era requires new approaches to developing wafer fab equipment,” said Seon Yong Cha, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of SK hynix. “Our co-innovation programs with Applied Materials will focus on new materials, integration approaches and thermal‑management technologies spanning device engineering and advanced packaging. Working alongside Applied engineers at the EPIC Center gives our teams faster learning cycles and manufacturing‑relevant validation for next‑generation AI memories.”
SK hynix becomes a founding partner of the EPIC Center, building momentum as industry leaders collaborate with Applied ahead of operational readiness this year. Applied’s new,
*Capital spending is expected to scale over time to approximately
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding Applied’s investment and growth strategies, the development of new materials and technologies, industry outlook and technology requirements, the plans and expectations for the EPIC Center, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements and their underlying assumptions are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements include, without limitation: the demand for semiconductors and customers’ technology requirements; the ability to develop new and innovative technologies; the ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights in key technologies; the ability to achieve the objectives of the EPIC Center; and other risks and uncertainties described in Applied’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Applied’s most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All forward-looking statements are based on management’s current estimates, projections and assumptions, and Applied assumes no obligation to update them.
About Applied Materials
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT) is the leader in materials engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor and advanced display in the world. The technology we create is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation chips. At Applied, we push the boundaries of science and engineering to deliver material innovation that changes the world. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.
Contact:
Ricky Gradwohl (editorial/media) 408.235.4676
Mike Sullivan (financial community) 408.986.7977
FAQ
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