SK hynix will prepay up to 50% of suppliers’ initial research and development costs through an R&D Challenge Reward program. The company will settle costs based on technical results and contributions even when development fails or does not lead to a purchase. The plan, unveiled at the 2026 Partners Day held on the 28th and announced on the 29th, covers four stages of supplier growth: technology development, testing and verification, mass production, and sales. SK hynix will let suppliers test products on its production lines, build the approximately 3,300-square-meter Trinity Fab process demonstration facility at the Yongin semiconductor cluster for a targeted 2027 opening, provide low-interest funding and broader consulting, and double its supplier-payment support fund to 100 billion won from 50 billion won. The event also marked the 25th anniversary of the company’s Win-Win Growth Council.