What happened? Intel and SK Hinix have finalized the deal of $ 8.85 billion, which transfers Intel’s Nanda Flash Memory business to the South Korean semiconductor veteran, which symbolizes a multi-year transaction that started in 2020. The final stage of the acquisition concluded with SK Hinix, which pays $ 1.9 billion to Intel.
This final installment attained important assets – including intellectual property, research and development resources, and major personnel – enabling SK Hinix to fully integrate N&R Business and Solidigm, formed from SSD operation of its subsidiary Intel.
The acquisition emerged in two phases over several years. The first phase in December 2021, SK HYNix acquired the SSD business of Intel for $ 6.61 billion and its Nand construction facility in Dalian, China. The stage also included the rebranding of Intel’s Enterprise SSD business under the name Solidigm, which continued to function as a standalone unit under the ownership of SK Heinix.
However, the initial transaction excluded the essential components such as Intel’s Nand-related intellectual property, R&D Infrastructure and Technical Workforce. These elements remained under the control of Intel during a transitional period, which limits the ability to solidize fully with SK Hinix on technology development and product innovation.
The second and final phase of the deal, which closed on 27 March 2025, addressed these intervals, according to a regulatory filing. With the latest $ 1.9 billion payment, SK HYNIX acquired Intel’s ownership Nand IP and absorbed its R&D team and technical staff. This step grants solidgam full operational freedom and allows for spontaneous integration with the current operation of SK henix. Integration is expected to increase the development of the next generation storage products.
Intel described the transaction as a strategic decision to resume its commercial priorities. This sales indicates the wide pivot of Intel rapidly away from the commoditized Nand Bazaar, which has faced a fall in prices and profitability in recent years. Instead, Intel has planned to focus on high-development areas such as artificial intelligence chips and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
For SK HYNIX, the acquisition is an important expansion of its footprint in the global Nanda market. By integrating the solidgum in its operation, SK Hinix gained an identity of the heritage of Advanced Floating Gate Nand Flash Technology – Intel – and an established position in the enterprise SSD area.
This keeps SK HYNix as a strong contestant against industry leaders such as Samsung Electronics, which is more than 30% of Global Nand Bazaar. With an estimated joint market share of over 20%, SK HYNIX is now firmly established as one of the world’s largest Nand memory manufacturers.
However, challenges further lie as SK HYNix navigates the technical difference between its current operations and people inherited from Intel. While SK HYNix is adept at the charge trap flash (CTF) technique, Solicigm continues to produce high-stricken SSDs based on Intel’s floating gate Nand technology. This dual-technology approach may require to maintain separate production lines in short term to take advantage of the unique powers of each process. In the long term, however, SK Hynix may try to integrate around an integrated manufacturing process to reduce complexity and streamline operations.
The conclusion of this transaction also ends the agreement under which the Intel was producing Nand Wafers in the dalian feature of SK Hinix during the transitional period. Now with full operational control, both companies are free to pursue their respective strategic goals without contractual obligations.
