Just a week after it emerged that Dutch chip equipment maker ASML was under pressure from the US to stop servicing and repairing its technology sold to customers in China, Samsung and SK hynix are also feeling the pressure.
Samsung, SK hynix stop sales of old chip manufacturing equipment
The Financial Times has reported that Korean memory companies have stopped selling their used chip-making equipment for fear of it falling into the hands of China or Russia, which could lead to US sanctions.
So great is this fear that the two began stockpiling their old machines as early as 2022, shortly after Washington first imposed export controls aimed at China, the FT claims. Samsung and SK hynix would otherwise send used equipment to retailers who put it up for sale at auctions, with buyers usually being Chinese companies that refurbish the kit and distribute it in their own factories.
"We are concerned that [the equipment] could fall into the wrong hands and that this could cause problems in our relations with the US government," said a knowledgeable source close to one of the Korean companies.
