South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix is set to acquire an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) ​scanner from ASML ⁠Korea.

According to a regulatory filing, the company will spend 11.95 ​trillion won ($7.97 billion) on the machine. The scanner will be delivered by December 2027 and will be used by SK Hynix to expand its production of memory chips.

EUV lithography works by using a 13.5nm light to print nanometer-sized transistors on silicon wafers. At present, ASML is the sole global supplier of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, although in recent years, a number of companies have sought to challenge its dominance by developing more cost-efficient or alternative approaches to lithography technology.

No information about where the scanner will be installed was included in the filing, but Reuters reported earlier this year that the memory giant is planning to move forward the opening of its forthcoming fabrication plant in Yongin, South Korea, to February 2027 in an effort to meet spiraling demand for memory.

SK Hynix had previously warned that the current memory chip shortage would continue into 2027, with consumer electronics likely to suffer the most in the face of ongoing supply issues, as capacity will increasingly become allocated to AI infrastructure projects.

However, speaking to reporters at Nvidia’s GTC event in San Jose, California, last week, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won revised that predication, saying the shortage is now likely to persist until 2030, with the company expecting to see a wafer shortage of more than 20 percent.

Separately, the ‌Korea Economic Daily reported this week that SK Hynix was exploring a potential US listing in an effort to raise up to 15 trillion won ($10.03 billion).

According to the report, the company plans to issue new shares to support a listing of American depositary receipts (ADRs), with an unnamed source stating the funds would be used to build out AI infrastructure and expand production capacity for memory products.

Commenting on a potential US ADR listing when asked about it at GTC, Reuters reported that Chey said any such move could allow the company to expand its shareholder base outside of Korea and increase its exposure to US investors, where many of its customers are currently located.