South Korea’s SK Hynix said it has received authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to receive chip equipment needed for its chip production facilities in China for one year, without seeking additional licensing requirements.
SK Hynix is the world’s second-largest memory chip maker. The exemption from the United States’ export control measures will assist SK Hynix to continue normal production activities – the development and production of DRAM semiconductors — in China for one year.
US Department of Commerce allowed the chipmaker and its business partners to engage in activities necessary to maintain current production of integrated circuits in China for one year without further licensing requirements.
Last week, the Joe Biden administration announced measures that restrict some exports of advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment to companies in China.
SK Hynix currently operates multiple plants in China, including one in the eastern city of Wuxi.
Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chip maker, has also received the same temporary exemption, according to media reports. Samsung was not immediately available for comment.