Longxi Accelerates 3D IC Customization to Capture Niche Market as Korean Chipmakers Remain Cautious

According to Citrini analyst Jukan (citing ZDNet Korea analysis), Samsung Foundry has received surging inquiries for 3D IC technology, with nearly every potential customer asking about the technology as of July 25. However, Jukan notes that 3D IC is essentially custom-designed DRAM and fundamentally conflicts with Samsung and SK Hynix's mass-production business models, with both Korean manufacturers likely to remain cautious about full commercialization.

The strategic hesitation creates an opening for niche players. Longxi Storage, barred from the HBM market due to U.S. semiconductor restrictions, is pursuing 3D IC as a differentiation strategy by targeting custom memory rather than competing directly with Korean manufacturers on commodity DRAM. According to Korean semiconductor industry officials, Longxi has already produced multiple 3D DRAM sample chips, and niche market players like Longxi and Winbond could establish this market first.