SK Group Is Creating the Blueprint for an Energy-Efficient AI

If you’re following the AI race, you’re hearing a lot about semiconductors. These chips are the backbone of modern AI technologies, powering everything from ChatGPT to self-driving cars. 

Naturally, the race to develop or acquire them is intense. Despite already being one of the world’s largest industries, the market for semiconductor chips is projected to grow to $1 trillion by 2030. 

So, what’s the catch? Chip manufacturing is notoriously energy-intensive. Semiconductor factories consume up to 100 megawatt-hours of energy per hour—more than oil refineries or auto plants. 

Agencies like the U.S. Department of Energy have roadmaps for efficient semiconductor R&D—but these efforts take time, and fast solutions are needed. That’s why SK hynix, one of the world’s largest memory chipmakers, is investing in a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem. Through industry partnerships and internal innovations, they’re committed to making the semiconductor supply chain more resilient. 

Uniting Semiconductor Suppliers Around Energy Efficiency 

SK hynix has a strong track record of innovation in semiconductors. The company pioneered high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, a critical component of modern AI. 

Now, they’re focusing on a new challenge: making semiconductor production more energy efficient. But SK’s HBM chips are just one stop in the supply chain, and real progress requires industry-wide collaboration.

To lead this effort, SK hynix launched ECO Alliance, a coalition of semiconductor industry leaders committed to reducing overall energy use in the manufacturing of memory chips. SK hynix provides one-on-one consulting to dozens of first-tier suppliers, helping them make their supply chains more resilient and connect with potential collaborators across the industry.

SK hynix is also a member of CDP Supply Chain, a global organization that works with suppliers to pursue environmental action. In support of this mission, SK hynix has helped 84% of its suppliers set and disclose emission-cutting goals.

Pioneering Sustainable Manufacturing Solutions 

SK hynix isn’t just bringing the semiconductor industry together to make chip manufacturing more efficient—it’s also driving the innovations underpinning these goals. 

One focus is rethinking the use of laboratory scrubbers, which remove harmful gasses from industrial exhaust. These scrubbers are the industry standard, but they’re energy hogs.

SK hynix is leading several initiatives to boost scrubber efficiency. This includes creating single scrubbers that can handle gasses from multiple pieces of equipment, cutting down on turnover. The company is also developing scrubbers that use significantly less water and energy. To further optimize gas usage, SK hynix has significantly improved gas flow rates during the etching and cleaning processes—two major contributors to semiconductor-related emissions. 

SK Group’s Commitment to Energy Efficiency 

When companies announce energy efficiency goals, it often feels like real progress is decades away. But SK hynix is focused on right now, as one of the world’s fastest-growing industries urgently needs to become more sustainable.

The performance per watt of SK hynix’s latest enterprise solid-state drive is already 75% more efficient than its predecessor. The company aims to double the energy efficiency of its flagship HBM product by 2026.

SK hynix’s efforts are part of a broader initiative from SK Group to make AI more efficient—a mission that spans the conglomerate’s companies and global markets. This includes another SK subsidiary, Absolics, which manufactures glass substrates that allow data centers to stack semiconductor chips more efficiently.

Demand for AI hardware like semiconductors is already sky-high—and it’s only going to continue to grow. Innovation and ongoing research collaboration will help make the hardware powering AI more efficient. It’s an ambitious goal that SK hynix is committed to meeting.