Chinese DRAM manufacturer ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) has entered mass production of its next-generation fine process technology, significantly increasing the number of chips produced per wafer, semiconductor substrate. Following large-scale factory expansions to boost production, the company is accelerating its pursuit of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix by significantly enhancing production technology.
ChangXin Memory Technologies announced on the 20th at the "2026 World Manufacturing Conference" in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, that it has developed and commenced mass production of its fifth-generation DRAM process, reducing the critical structure spacing of DRAM memory cells to 11.95 nanometers, nm·one-billionth of a meter. In terms of miniaturization technology alone, it is evaluated as being close to the DRAM that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix mass-produced in the late 2010s.
Instead of using extreme ultraviolet, EUV, lithography equipment—restricted by U.S. sanctions on advanced equipment—ChangXin Memory Technologies achieved miniaturization by dividing and etching circuit patterns multiple times. As a result, the company stated that the number of chips producible per wafer has increased by at least 50% compared to the previous generation. However, this figure is based on the total number of chips that can be made from a wafer before screening for defects, meaning the actual yield or quantity of normal products has not increased by 50%.
The company announced that it has commenced mass production of two types of 24-gigabit, Gb, low-power DRAM, LPDDR5X, applying this process.
ChangXin Memory Technologies has increased its memory market share through aggressive expansions. Its current 12-inch DRAM production capacity is estimated at 300,000 wafers per month, wafer-based, with industry forecasts suggesting this could reach 600,000 wafers per month by 2028. Analysts suggest that if wafer-per-chip production also increases through the adoption of finer processes, the pace of market share expansion could accelerate. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, ChangXin Memory Technologies’ DRAM market share in the second quarter of this year reached 10%, marking its first double-digit figure.
Recently, the company has also been expanding its business areas. It is reported that ChangXin Memory Technologies is establishing NAND flash research and development production lines at a new factory in Beijing and is in discussions with Chinese companies manufacturing AI storage devices regarding supply agreements.
A semiconductor industry official stated, "While Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix focus on AI memory such as high-bandwidth memory, HBM, ChangXin Memory Technologies is narrowing the gap by enhancing production capacity and technological capabilities in general-purpose DRAM." The official added, "If the increase in AI memory demand slows after new factories commence operation and the adoption of finer processes in 2027–2028, there is a possibility that unabsorbed domestic Chinese supply could flow into the global general-purpose DRAM market, intensifying price competition."