SK Hynix localizes the supply of key gases such as neon gas needed for chip production.

CTOnews.com, October 5 (Xinhua)-- SK Hynix said on Wednesday that it has successfully used neon from local suppliers for 40% of its chip production, according to The elec.

The chip giant says it aims to make full use of neon from South Korea by 2024. Until recently, SK Hynix relied entirely on imported neon gas, which is used in lithography in wafer fabrication.

CTOnews.com learned that neon gas is mixed with other gases to form excimer laser gas, a short-wave infrared laser used to draw circuit patterns on lasers.

But the price of the gas has soared due to global geopolitical problems in recent years, leading South Korean memory chip makers to prepare the material locally.

The company has successfully partnered with South Korea's TEMC and Posco to develop neon as an alternative source, which SK says will stabilize supply and save costs.

SK Hynix also said it plans to localize the supply of krypton and xenon used in the etching process from June next year.