[Edaily Reporter Choi Oh-hyun ] SK hynix is partnering with the government and the financial sector to provide 2 trillion won in financial support to partner companies in the semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment (MPE) sector. The plan aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor supply chain by reducing the financial burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies that are struggling to secure funding.

SK hynix announced on the 19th that it held a signing ceremony for the “Export Supply Chain Strengthening Guarantee” with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, and the four major commercial banks at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster Promotion Center in Gyeonggi Province. The event was attended by Kwak No-jeong, President and CEO of SK hynix; Kim Jeong-gwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; and representatives from KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, Hana Bank, and partner companies in the materials, parts, and equipment sector.

This agreement was established to improve financing conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies in the semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment sector. Under the arrangement, SK hynix and the commercial banks will contribute funds, while the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation will provide guarantees. Through this initiative, a total of 2 trillion won in financial support is expected to be provided.

Eligible companies will be able to expand their loan limits and receive preferential interest rates based on these guarantees. The burden of guarantee fees incurred during the loan process will also be reduced. In particular, this is expected to help small and medium-sized partner companies—especially those with insufficient collateral or in need of funds for large-scale facility investments—secure financing. A ceremony to present the first guarantee certificate to an eligible partner company was also held during the event.

Along with financial support, SK hynix is also taking steps to help its partner companies enhance their technological competitiveness. Prior to the signing ceremony, attendees toured the construction site of the first production facility at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster and the “Trinity Fab” construction site.

The Trinity Fab is a state-of-the-art facility linked to mass semiconductor production, being established within Yongin’s first fab through a joint investment of 870 billion won by the government, local authorities, and SK hynix. Until now, small and medium-sized component, material, and equipment companies have faced difficulties in commercializing their products because, even after successful development, they lacked opportunities to verify product performance and stability on actual semiconductor production lines. Trinity Fab supports domestic materials, parts, and equipment companies by enabling them to test and verify the performance of their self-developed technologies and products in an actual semiconductor production environment. The goal is to shorten the commercialization timeline for domestically produced equipment and materials and reduce dependence on foreign technology.

During the subsequent roundtable discussion, representatives from partner companies shared on-the-ground challenges related to stabilizing the semiconductor supply chain and achieving technological self-reliance. Participants agreed to further strengthen a mutually beneficial ecosystem between large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises.

President Kwak No-jeong stated, “To secure the global competitiveness of South Korea’s semiconductor industry at the national level and strengthen the standing of ‘K-Semiconductor,’ it is essential to build a robust ecosystem for materials, parts, and equipment.” He added, “Based on financial support and the technology verification environment provided by the Trinity Fab, we will work with our partner companies to solidify our technological leadership in the global semiconductor market.”