Kioxia rules out deeper SK Hynix ties, resists further NAND price hikes

Kioxia’s refusal to deepen ties with SK Hynix and resistance to price hikes signals growing geopolitical and technological fragmentation in the NAND supply chain. This move accelerates upstream semiconductor component suppliers to prioritize self-reliance, while midstream foundries may shift toward flexible customer contracts. From a compliance standpoint, the decision mitigates export control risks but reduces potential synergies with South Korean partners. In market terms, it may prompt competitors to adopt cautious pricing strategies, intensifying profit margin pressures. Looking ahead, the NAND market will increasingly rely on long-term contracts to stabilize demand, with capacity expansion becoming more conservative. This trend suggests that memory pricing volatility will ease over the next two years, yet supply constraints are likely to persist. The industry is transitioning from short-term competition to structural reshaping.