Applied Materials Partners with Micron and SK Hynix on AI Memory Chips

Semiconductor equipment maker to invest $5 billion in new EPIC research center.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Applied Materials has announced partnerships with memory chip companies Micron Technology and SK Hynix to develop next-generation chips crucial for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The companies will collaborate at Applied Materials' planned $5 billion EPIC research and development center, focusing on advancements in DRAM, high-bandwidth memory, NAND, and advanced packaging technologies.

Why it matters

The rapid growth of AI infrastructure by major tech firms is driving high demand for memory chips, leading to supply shortages and price increases. These partnerships aim to help meet this surging demand by developing innovative memory chip technologies at scale.

The details

Under the partnerships, Micron and SK Hynix will serve as founding partners at Applied Materials' EPIC Center. The center represents a planned $5 billion investment in semiconductor equipment R&D, with capital spending expected to scale over time. The Micron partnership will focus on advancing DRAM, high-bandwidth memory, and NAND, while the SK Hynix partnership will concentrate on improving materials, process integration, and 3D advanced packaging for next-gen DRAM and HBM.

  • Applied Materials announced the partnerships on March 11, 2026.
  • The EPIC Center is expected to come online in 2026.

The players

Applied Materials

A leading supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, materials, and services.

Micron Technology

One of the world's largest producers of memory chips, including DRAM and NAND.

SK Hynix

A major South Korean semiconductor company and one of the world's top memory chip manufacturers.

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What’s next

Applied Materials plans to scale up capital spending at the EPIC Center as customer projects begin, with the goal of reaching the full $5 billion investment over time.

The takeaway

These partnerships demonstrate the critical role of semiconductor equipment and materials suppliers in enabling the next generation of AI and high-performance computing technologies. By collaborating with leading memory chip manufacturers, Applied Materials is positioning itself to help meet the surging demand for advanced memory chips that power the AI revolution.