ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) is planning to break into the US memory market. According to sources close to the matter, branching out overseas is part of a longer-term plan for the Chinese firm that has swiftly become the fourth-biggest maker of memory in the world.
CXMT has been on my radar lately as multiple motherboard and PC component makers have made moves to validate its memory for their products. Considering the news that CXMT is reportedly massively ramping up its DRAM capacity during these times of memory shortage, it’s not hard to see why.
However, we’re still a ways off from seeing CXMT DRAM become more readily available in the US; in the nearer term, CXMT will have to navigate both intense domestic demand in China, as well as Western competitor Micron urging US lawmakers to curb the company’s access to key equipment, plus a sword of Damocles in the form of a spot on the Commerce Department’s trade blacklist (via Reuters).
Not even Apple has been safe from the effects of the memory crisis, and has been keen to seek assurances CXMT won’t be placed on the US’ “Entity List”. Even with such a powerful supporter looking to buy its wares, what remains is still a challenging geopolitical obstacle course for CXMT to navigate.