The memory market is undergoing a significant transformation as suppliers pivot from traditional inventory-based models to forecast-driven production.This shift, highlighted in Fusion Worldwide's State of the Industry Report | 2025 | Volume 1, signals tighter supply controls and potential price volatility. For businesses reliant on DRAM, NAND, and memory, understanding these changes is critical to maintaining supply chain resilience and competitive advantage.Memory Market Shifts from Inventory to ForecastingIn recent years, the memory market has been characterized by cycles of oversupply and shortages, leading to price instability. To combat this, memory suppliers are now prioritizing forecast-driven procurement over stockpiling inventory. This strategic shift aims to align production more closely with actual demand, reducing the risk of excess inventory and price crashes.According to Fusion Worldwide's State of the Industry Report, "IC manufacturers, worried about losses, are increasingly mirroring memory supplier tactics from last year by encouraging customers to submit forecasts to secure allocations. Without these forecasts, production cuts may be necessary to maintain profits." This approach reflects a broader industry trend toward tighter supply controls, with suppliers focusing on profitability and stability rather than volume.For businesses, this means longer lead times and more rigid allocation processes, particularly for high-demand products like and NAND flash. Companies that fail to adapt to this new model may face challenges in securing the components they need, especially during periods of heightened demand.What This Means for Procurement StrategiesThe transition to forecast-based supply management has significant implications for procurement teams. With suppliers prioritizing forecasts, businesses must adopt more strategic sourcing practices to ensure a steady supply of memory components. Here are key steps to consider:1.Monitor Pricing Trends Closely With reduced excess inventory, the memory market is likely to experience greater price volatility. Procurement teams should track DRAM and NAND pricing trends closely, using market intelligence tools to anticipate shifts and adjust strategies accordingly.2.Secure Long-Term Agreements In a tighter supply environment, long-term agreements with suppliers can provide stability. By locking in pricing and availability, businesses can mitigate the risk of shortages and unexpected cost increases.3.Diversify Sourcing Strategies Relying on a single supplier or region can be risky, especially in a constrained market. Companies should explore alternative sourcing options, including independent distributors, to access high-speed DRAM and SSD storage from multiple regions.4.Leverage Market Intelligence Staying informed about market trends and supply shifts is essential. Tools like Fusion Worldwide's State of the Industry Report provide valuable insights into pricing, lead times, and emerging risks, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions.The Role of Market Intelligence in Sourcing StrategiesCompanies that actively track memory market trends and semiconductor supply chain shifts will be in a stronger position to navigate industry changes. Having real-time market intelligence allows procurement teams to:Identify early warning signs of supply shortages. Adjust inventory levels to match anticipated demand. Make data-driven decisions for contract negotiations.Leveraging market intelligence solutions ensures businesses remain agile and well-prepared for market fluctuations.Potential Price Volatility for 2025While the shift to forecast-driven production aims to stabilize pricing in the long term, it also introduces the potential for short-term volatility. Suppliers are taking a more deliberate approach to supply control, reducing excess inventory to avoid price crashes. However, this strategy leaves less room for error if demand surges unexpectedly.For example, a sudden increase in demand for high-capacity memory solutions could strain supply chains, leading to price spikes and extended lead times. Businesses that depend on these components must remain vigilant, using market intelligence to anticipate and respond to fluctuations.Final Thoughts: Preparing for a Tighter Memory MarketThe memory market's shift toward forecast-driven production represents a fundamental change in how suppliers manage supply and demand. While this approach aims to create a more stable and profitable market, it also places greater responsibility on businesses to adapt their procurement strategies.To navigate this evolving landscape, companies must prioritize market intelligence, diversify sourcing options, and secure long-term agreements. By staying proactive and informed, businesses can mitigate the risks of supply constraints and price volatility, ensuring a resilient and cost-effective supply chain.Our State of the Industry report provides a timely synthesis of market intelligence from our sourcing and procurement experts, as well as vetted suppliers. Download Fusion Worldwide's State of the Industry Report here.For more information visit fusionww.com, or follow Fusion Worldwide on LinkedIn, Instagram, WeChat, and X.Authored by:Kok How Yow, Global Commodity Director, Fusion Worldwide

People growingly rely on their phones for navigating via GPS, communicating via satellite and checking weather forecasts. All these services that make our life more intelligent and convenient are made possible by space technology breakthroughs.Taiwan Accelerator Plus (TAcc+), an international startup program powered by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), played a key role in facilitating a space industry delegation to the United Kingdom in March 2025. The program is sponsored by the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration (SMESA), Ministry of Economic Affairs, and executed by ITRI. SMESA served as the official organizer of the mission, while TAcc+ coordinated the activities and engagements throughout the trip.Taiwan's first team of space industry representatives exhibiting at Space-Comm Expo and holding Taiwan Country Showcase at the event to introduce Taiwan's space industry strength and spark off cross-border partnerships. Credit: ITRIThe Taiwan delegation brought together representatives from the private sector, academia, and government, including companies such as Hon Hai Precision, the Department of Space Science and Engineering at National Central University, and several emerging Taiwan-based space startups. Their participation in Space Comm Expo 2025 aimed to showcase Taiwan's growing space capabilities and foster international cooperation.With the support of ITRI's international partners—including Space South Central, ADS Group, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the British Office in Taipei—the delegation also visited several key organizations in the United Kingdom space sector. These included the UK Space Agency, Airbus, Eutelsat OneWeb, Satellite Applications Catapult, STFC RAL Space, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, Surrey Space Centre, and the 5G Innovation Centre. These visits offered the Taiwan delegation valuable insights into the United Kingdom space ecosystem and opened the door for future collaboration.This mission aimed to build lasting communication channels, deepen partnerships, and strengthen connections between the space and startup communities of both countries.As the largest and most influential space industry exhibition in the UK, Space-Comm Expo gathered more than 200 exhibitors from all over the world and received 5,900 visitors in 2025. At this year's event, ITRI organized a Taiwan pavilion, themed on 5G/6G, satellite manufacturing and application, Earth observation, and space applications, to showcase Taiwan-based startups' creativity and innovations.ITRI also secured opportunities to have the Taiwan team of exhibitors participate in technology sharing sessions and present their achievements at Space-Comm Expo forums, including Taiwan Country Showcase and the Global Space Industry Showcase. These opportunities allowed Taiwan-based startups to network with exhibitors from other countries and boost their visibility in the global marketplace.Two noteworthy events were held on March 11. The Taiwan Cultural Tea Reception took place at the Space-Comm Expo. UK-Taiwan Night, co-hosted with Space South Central, took place at UCL East. Well attended by government representatives and industry experts from different corners of the world, both events offered opportunities for face-to-face communication and media exposure that helped increase the Taiwan space industry's global visibility and sparked off cross-border partnerships.International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program 2025 kicking off, welcoming international startups to TaiwanSMESA's International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program has been running for years. The program has successfully brought a great many international startup teams to Taiwan, including Axiom Space, HEX20, and Reflex Aerospace. They have infused a new energy into Taiwan's space industry development. At the same time as ITRI led the delegation to participate in Space-Comm Expo, SMESA launched the 2025 International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program, aiming to attract international startups with critical space technologies to Taiwan. The initiative is part of a broader effort to accelerate the upgrade and transformation of Taiwan's space industry. The program will connect selected international startups with Taiwan's space industry ecosystem resources through match-making visits to local companies, POC validations, and exhibition event marketing. Taiwan will serve as their gateway to Asian markets.The International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program 2025 will focus on international startups endeavoring in communication satellite and system integration, remote sensing and imaging technologies for satellite application, small rocket manufacturing and launching, AI edge computing applications, ground equipment, satellite manufacturing, and other space technologies. The focus on satellite manufacturing is aimed at helping strengthen Taiwan's ability to design, assemble, and make satellites and drive high-performance satellite system development. The focus on remote sensing and imaging technologies for satellite applications is intended to drive advances in remote sensing and imaging technologies for their extended use in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and smart city. The focus on AI edge computing applications is for the purpose of enhancing Taiwan's ability to analyze satellite data and perform real-time computation while creating a diversity of space data application scenarios.On the foundation of the country's robust semiconductor, ICT, and precision machinery sectors, Taiwan's space industry is gaining attention in the global marketplace. Future synergy with international startups' technological strengthwill boost Taiwan's competitiveness in the global space sector and reenergize Taiwan's overall economic development.Visit https://taccplus.com/en/international-program/ for more information.Taiwan-UK Space Delegation being impressed by STFC RAL Space's achievements in large geosynchronous satellite integration and testing technologies. Credit: ITRITaiwan-UK Space Delegation visiting UK Space Agency. Credit: ITRI

SK Hynix Inc. (or "the company") announced today that it has shipped the samples of 12-layer HBM4, a new ultra-high performance DRAM for AI, to major customers for the first time in the world.The samples were delivered ahead of schedule based on SK Hynix's technological edge and production experience that have led the HBM market, and the company is to start the certification process for the customers. SK Hynix aims to complete preparations for mass production of 12-layer HBM4 products within the second half of the year, strengthening its position in the next-generation AI memory market.The 12-layer HBM4 provided as samples this time features the industry's best capacity and speed which are essential for AI memory products.The product has implemented bandwidth capable of processing more than 2TB (terabytes) of data per second for the first time. This translates to processing data equivalent to more than 400 full-HD movies (5GB each) in a second, which is 60 percent faster than the previous generation, HBM3E.SK Hynix also adopted the Advanced MR-MUF process to achieve a capacity of 36GB, which is the highest among 12-layer HBM products. The process, of which competitiveness has been proved through a successful production of the previous generation, helps prevent chip warpage while maximizing product stability by improving heat dissipation.Following its achievement as the industry's first provider to mass produce HBM3 in 2022, and 8- and 12-high HBM3E in 2024. SK Hynix has been leading the AI memory market by developing and supplying HBM products in a timely manner."We have enhanced our position as a front-runner in the AI ecosystem following years of consistent efforts to overcome technological challenges in accordance with customer demands," said Justin Kim, President & Head of AI Infra at SK Hynix. "We are now ready to smoothly proceed with the performance certification and preparatory works for mass production, taking advantage of the experience we have built as the industry's largest HBM provider."