Seoul: South Korean memory chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are testing semiconductor manufacturing equipment made by China’s Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC) at their factories in China as a precaution against the risk of tighter US export controls, according to people familiar with the matter. The evaluations highlight how geopolitical tensions are reshaping global semiconductor supply chains.
Although neither company has decided to deploy the Chinese equipment on a large scale, the trials underscore growing concerns that future US restrictions could affect access to American chipmaking technology and services in China.
Chinese chip tools under evaluation
According to Reuters, Samsung and SK Hynix began testing AMEC’s etching equipment around two years ago when uncertainty increased over whether Washington would continue allowing them to import US semiconductor manufacturing equipment into their Chinese facilities.
The evaluations have not yet resulted in wider adoption, but they represent a significant opportunity for Chinese equipment manufacturers to demonstrate that their products can meet the standards of some of the world’s largest memory chip producers.
Hedge against future US restrictions
The testing is reportedly part of a broader strategy to prepare for possible tightening of US export controls.
While Washington has granted Samsung and SK Hynix annual licences to continue importing certain chipmaking equipment into their Chinese plants, the companies remain concerned that future restrictions could extend beyond new machinery to maintenance, repairs or replacement of existing Western equipment already installed at their factories.
As a result, both firms are reportedly keeping Chinese suppliers as a contingency option for maintaining existing production lines rather than expanding manufacturing capacity in China.
Samsung denies testing for factory deployment
Samsung said in a statement to Reuters that it has not tested AMEC equipment for use at its China factory and had not considered doing so.
SK Hynix declined to comment, while AMEC and the US Bureau of Industry and Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Opportunity for Chinese semiconductor industry
For AMEC and other Chinese semiconductor equipment makers, securing approval from Samsung or SK Hynix would represent a major commercial endorsement.
Chinese manufacturers have steadily increased their domestic market share as Beijing pushes for greater semiconductor self-reliance in response to US technology restrictions. Analysts estimate Chinese equipment suppliers could account for up to 25% to 30% of China’s wafer fabrication equipment market this year.
US export controls reshape supply chains
The development illustrates how US efforts to limit China’s semiconductor ambitions are also encouraging multinational chipmakers to diversify their equipment suppliers.
Industry observers say continued geopolitical uncertainty is prompting companies to reduce dependence on any single country for critical manufacturing technology while balancing operational, intellectual property and political risks.
No immediate production changes
Despite the ongoing evaluations, there is no indication that Samsung or SK Hynix will immediately replace their existing US-made chipmaking equipment.
Both companies continue to rely heavily on tools supplied by American firms such as Applied Materials and Lam Research, while any broader adoption of Chinese equipment would require lengthy qualification and reliability testing.
Conclusion
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix’s reported testing of Chinese chipmaking equipment reflects the semiconductor industry’s efforts to prepare for an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. While no production changes have been announced, the evaluations demonstrate how tightening US export controls are encouraging global chipmakers to explore alternative technology suppliers and strengthen supply-chain resilience.