ASICLAND Selected as SK hynix’s Partner for Next-Gen eSSD Development, Establishing a ‘K-Semiconductor Win-Win’ Model

• Expanding collaboration in next-generation advanced processes to bolster the competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor ecosystem
• ASICLAND extends its scope of collaboration beyond design and verification to the entire productization stage, unlocking opportunities to strengthen its global portfolio
• Anticipating organic technological cooperation and mutual growth between conglomerates and SMEs to lead the AI data center market.

SUWON, South Korea — June 29, 2026 — ASICLAND, the sole TSMC Value Chain Alliance (VCA) partner in South Korea, is embarking on a technical collaboration with SK hynix—a global leader in memory semiconductors—to develop next-generation enterprise SSD (eSSD) controllers. This contract marks a significant milestone, as a domestic design house participates in SK hynix’s advanced-process-based, next-generation storage development project. The collaboration is expected to sharpen the competitive edge of the domestic semiconductor ecosystem and foster organic, mutual growth.

ASICLAND (KOSDAQ: 445090; CEO: Jong-min Lee), a specialized application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design solution provider, announced via a public disclosure on the 29th that it has signed a contract with SK hynix. The agreement encompasses customized design services and subsequent development phases, including tape-out support, for SK hynix's next-generation eSSD controllers. Under this contract, ASICLAND will serve as a technical partner supporting the development of SK hynix’s next-generation products, leveraging its advanced TSMC process-based ASIC design and verification capabilities. The contract is valued at approximately KRW 31.9 billion and runs from May 27, 2025, to December 31, 2027.

Proliferation of AI Data Centers Fast-Tracks the Importance of eSSD Controllers

As industries requiring large-scale data processing—such as AI training and inference, cloud services, and high-performance computing (HPC)—expand rapidly, the performance and power efficiency of data center storage have emerged as critical factors determining overall infrastructure competitiveness.

In particular, the eSSD controller, which dictates the performance of enterprise SSDs, is a core semiconductor that manages the data flow between servers and storage devices, directly impacting processing speed, reliability, and power efficiency. With the surging demand for storage in AI data centers, the importance of next-generation eSSD controller technology continues to escalate.

SK hynix has been continuously expanding its memory and storage product portfolio for data centers. This project carries profound significance, not only in securing next-generation storage competitiveness demanded in the AI era but also in broadening the foundation for collaboration within the domestic semiconductor design ecosystem.

Expanding the Scope of Collaboration: ASICLAND Advances Its Advanced-Process Support Capabilities

Harnessing its advanced process design experience and verification expertise accumulated as Korea's sole TSMC VCA partner, ASICLAND will provide customized design services and tape-out support for its major domestic client.

Through its participation in this project, ASICLAND transcends its traditional business domain centered on design and verification. The company has created a momentum to offer top-tier design services across the entire product development lifecycle of clients utilizing advanced processes. Furthermore, it plans to expand a seamless support system that extends past the development phase into manufacturing implementation.

This is anticipated to serve as a vital milestone for ASICLAND, positioning itself as a strategic technical partner that stably supports clients' next-generation product development based on global-standard advanced process design capabilities.

Merging Global Technological Leadership with Domestic Design Prowess: Realizing 'Mutual Growth Between Conglomerates and SMEs'

The collaboration between the two companies is hailed as a flagship exemplary case where a conglomerate with world-class technological competitiveness and a domestic fabless/design house complement each other by leveraging their respective strengths. In particular, a collaborative framework where a domestic specialist participates in the core development process based on advanced processes—within a technological ecosystem built by a global market leader—is expected to yield positive impacts on enhancing the competitiveness of the Korean semiconductor supply chain and widening the industry ecosystem's horizons.

"We find it highly meaningful to participate in the next-generation eSSD development project of SK hynix, a company leading the AI era," said Jong-min Lee, CEO of ASICLAND. "Based on our accumulated TSMC advanced process design experience and verification capabilities, we will deliver the highest level of design services to ensure the stable execution of our client's next-generation product development. Moving forward, we will continue to expand our capabilities to provide seamless support all the way through the manufacturing implementation stage."