[Edaily Reporter Choi Oh-hyun ] SamsungElectronics and SK hynix are expanding financial and technical support for their semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment (MPE) suppliers.

According to industry sources on the 19th, SK hynix 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 that day.

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 sectors. Under the arrangement, SK hynix and the commercial banks will contribute funds totaling approximately 2 trillion won, while K-Trade Insurance Corporation will provide guarantees.

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.

SamsungElectronics’ Semiconductor (DS) Division operates three major support programs: the Win-Win Fund, supplier incentives, and the ESG Fund. Since 2010, it has established a 1.4 trillion won Win-Win Fund to provide low-interest loans to suppliers for facility investments, research and development, and working capital. In 2018, it contributed an additional 400 billion won and expanded the scope of support to include third-tier suppliers.

In 2024, the company also established a 1 trillion won ESG Fund. It provides interest-free loans for up to three years to cover funds needed by partner companies for energy conservation, environmental and safety improvements, and investments in facilities and technology. The company also provides incentives twice a year to outstanding employees of partner companies stationed at its facilities. To date, the cumulative amount paid has exceeded 800 billion won.

In addition to financial support, the two companies are also assisting suppliers with the validation of new products and technologies. This initiative aims to address the challenge faced by small and medium-sized component, material, and equipment manufacturers, who—even after successful development—often struggle with commercialization due to a lack of opportunities to verify product performance and stability on actual semiconductor production lines. Through this effort, the companies plan to shorten the commercialization period for domestically produced equipment and materials and reduce reliance on overseas technology.

Prior to the signing ceremony, SK hynix inspected the construction site of Production Facility No. 1 at the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster and the site for the “Trinity Fab.” The Trinity Fab is a state-of-the-art semiconductor mass-production-linked facility being established within Yongin Fab No. 1 through a joint investment of 870 billion won by the government, local authorities, and SK hynix. Domestic materials, parts, and equipment companies will be able to test their self-developed technologies and products and verify their performance in an actual semiconductor production environment at the Trinity Fab.

SamsungElectronics has been assisting with technology validation through its Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) program since 2018. Operating more than 30 times a year—including the latest 4-nanometer process—the company is expanding its scope of collaboration to include domestic materials, parts, and equipment companies as well as universities such as KAIST.