[News] Samsung May Repurpose R&D Line for Foundry, Targeting 2nm HBM Base Dies for Future NVIDIA Demand

Samsung is reportedly weighing a shift in plans for its new Giheung facility as it prepares for growing NVIDIA-driven HBM demand. According to ZDNet, sources say the company is considering repurposing NRD-K Line 2, currently under construction, from its original R&D role into a foundry production line. The facility would primarily target mass production of 2nm base (logic) dies for next-generation HBM, allowing Samsung to secure additional capacity ahead of expected demand growth from key customers including NVIDIA. The report adds that Samsung plans to use its 2nm process for future custom HBM and HBM5, the eighth generation of HBM.

NRD-K Line 2 is targeted to open in 2H28. Given the facility’s relatively small size, sources say it could operate as a send fab to supplement Samsung’s leading-edge production capacity. As ZDNet explains, a send fab is an auxiliary facility that receives wafers from other mass-production lines and handles specific manufacturing steps rather than the entire production process.

The reported move aligns with Samsung’s next-generation HBM roadmap. Seoul Economic Daily reported that Samsung unveiled HBM5 for the first time in June. ETNews adds that HBM5 base dies will use Samsung’s GAA-based 2nm process, as the new generation is expected to require over 50% higher operating speeds than HBM4E.

NRD-K Line 2 Plans Remain Subject to Change

Still, with around two years before the fab is scheduled to open, industry sources caution that its role could change again, according to ZDNet. While the plan is reportedly close to being finalized internally, equipment purchase orders have yet to be placed, leaving room for the investment direction and scale to be adjusted as semiconductor market conditions evolve.

NRD-K is Samsung’s advanced integrated R&D complex aimed at developing future semiconductor technologies. As ZDNet notes, the company plans to invest around KRW 20 trillion to build three lines at the site by 2030, with the first completed in late 2024. Preparations for NRD-K Line 2 began this year, and initial construction, including site preparation, is now underway.

Read more

• [News] Samsung Unveils HBM5 Model for the First Time at Computex, Production Reportedly Seen Around 2028
• [News] Samsung’s HBM4 Yield Reportedly Hits 80% as HBM Race Heats Up, SK hynix Labor Talks Add a Twist

(Photo credit: Samsung)