YMTC Defies US Sanctions with New Memory Chip Breakthrough.
Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC), China’s leading flash memory chip manufacturer, has made a significant leap in memory chip technology, despite ongoing US sanctions. According to a report by TechInsights, the company has successfully integrated a new design into its chips with 294 gates, continuing its push for technological self-sufficiency as part of China's broader strategy.
YMTC has implemented its new Xtacking4.0 memory chip design into its highest-density 3D NAND chip, which was recently discovered in the commercial ZhiTai TiPro9000 solid-state storage device. This breakthrough, reported by Canadian research firm TechInsights, features a dual-deck structure: a lower deck with 150 gates and an upper deck with 144 gates, totalling 294 gates. The design employs a hybrid-bonding technique to bond two wafers together.
The company’s new design follows the release of Xtacking4.0 devices, such as YMTC's 160-layer product, in the previous year. Industry experts had predicted that YMTC would incorporate this architecture into products with even higher layer counts. The new chip surpasses its predecessor, which featured 180 gates, and is most notable for its storage density, boasting an industry-first capacity of over 20 gigabits per square millimetre. TechInsights estimates the design contains approximately 270 active memory layers.
"The important takeaway is that China’s YMTC has beaten the competition to market," said Jeongdong Choe, senior analyst at TechInsights. "With the new Xtacking4.0 technology, YMTC appears to have found a way to overcome the current ban with this new chip."
While YMTC has not publicly detailed the technological advancements, the company responded to inquiries by stating, "We are committed to driving global innovation to further propel the industry forward and meet the evolving needs of our customers and partners."
The US government placed YMTC on the Entity List two years ago, effectively blacklisting the company and severing its ties with leading semiconductor equipment makers like Lam Research. This move restricted YMTC's access to essential equipment for producing high-yield chips. However, YMTC has shifted its reliance towards domestic chip tool makers, such as Naura Technology Group, to maintain production.
The new chip design’s architecture, which incorporates stacked active layers, significantly enhances storage density and performance. According to Choe, "YMTC is the leader in hybrid bonding technology, which is essential for higher-layered 3D NAND. That’s why Samsung and other NAND companies follow and prepare the hybrid bonding structure for the next generations."
YMTC’s advancements have caught the attention of global competitors such as South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, who still dominate the global memory market. SK Hynix, which provides over half of the high-bandwidth memory chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) applications, is preparing to mass-produce the industry’s highest 321-layer 4D NAND chip in the first half of this year.
The global competition in NAND flash memory is expected to heat up in 2025, driven by weak demand and oversupply, worsened by aggressive production expansion by Chinese suppliers encouraged by domestic substitution policies. In response, Samsung, SK Hynix, and US-based Micron Technology are planning production cuts by lowering utilisation rates and delaying process upgrades, according to Taiwanese IC research firm TrendForce.
As YMTC continues to make strides in memory chip innovation, it remains to be seen how the company’s technological breakthroughs will shape the future of the global semiconductor industry.
Who is the Secretive Yang Shining, CEO of YMTC?
Yang Shining, the CEO of Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC), is one of China’s most influential and enigmatic figures in the tech industry. YMTC, a leading semiconductor and memory chip manufacturer, has gained international recognition under his leadership, despite facing considerable challenges such as US sanctions. Little is known about Yang’s personal life, educational background, or early career, which has added to his mystique. However, his influence on China’s rapidly advancing semiconductor industry is undeniable.
Background and Early Career
Yang Shining’s background remains largely under wraps, with few public details available about his early life or education. This is common for many high-profile Chinese business leaders, as they tend to maintain a low profile. What is known is that Yang’s career in the technology sector began in the 2000s, during China’s burgeoning push for technological self-sufficiency. He joined YMTC, which was founded in 2016 as part of China’s efforts to reduce its dependency on foreign semiconductor technology. Prior to this, Yang likely worked in various roles in China’s growing semiconductor or tech industry, accumulating the expertise that would help him lead YMTC through the competitive and ever-evolving market.
YMTC was established as a part of China’s strategy to become a dominant player in the memory chip industry, with the goal of reducing reliance on major foreign chipmakers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology. Under Yang’s leadership, YMTC has focused on developing advanced flash memory chips, particularly 3D NAND chips, which are essential for high-performance storage in everything from mobile phones to data centres.
Career at YMTC
Yang Shining became the CEO of YMTC at a time when the company was just beginning to make waves in the global semiconductor market. Under his guidance, YMTC has advanced quickly, even managing to achieve several major breakthroughs in memory chip technology. A standout achievement was the launch of the Xtacking4.0 memory chip, a product based on a hybrid-bonding technology that allows for more layers in 3D NAND chips. This breakthrough allowed YMTC to challenge industry giants and compete in high-density memory markets, a field traditionally dominated by Western and South Korean companies.
Despite the company’s technological success, Yang and YMTC have had to contend with substantial challenges. In 2020, the United States placed YMTC on its Entity List, effectively blacklisting the company and restricting its access to critical semiconductor manufacturing equipment from US firms such as Lam Research. This move was part of the US government’s broader strategy to curb China’s technological rise. However, Yang responded by turning to domestic suppliers, fostering partnerships with Chinese tech companies such as Naura Technology Group, which produce the necessary equipment for YMTC’s manufacturing processes. This ability to pivot and adapt to sanctions is seen as a testament to Yang’s leadership and strategic foresight.
Leadership Style and Achievements
Yang is known for his quiet, methodical approach to business, with few public appearances or media interviews. He prefers to let his company’s achievements speak for themselves, which is consistent with the secretive nature of many Chinese business leaders. His low-key persona contrasts sharply with the aggressive ambition of YMTC, which aims to make China a self-reliant powerhouse in the semiconductor sector.
Under his leadership, YMTC has surpassed several milestones. For example, the company’s development of 128-layer 3D NAND memory chips has put it on par with some of the best in the world, even though global competitors have had a significant head start. His company’s commitment to innovation, combined with China's policies supporting domestic semiconductor production, has positioned YMTC to be a key player in the global memory chip market.
Lifestyle and Personal Life
Very little is known about Yang Shining’s personal lifestyle, as he has kept his private life out of the public eye. In contrast to many other Chinese business tycoons who often make headlines with lavish lifestyles, Yang remains remarkably discreet. This secrecy aligns with the culture of many high-level Chinese executives, particularly those leading state-backed companies like YMTC. His personal wealth and lifestyle have not been widely discussed in media reports, keeping his image focused purely on his professional accomplishments.
The Future of YMTC
As China pushes for technological self-sufficiency, YMTC and Yang Shining will likely continue to play an essential role in the nation’s strategy to reduce its reliance on foreign semiconductor suppliers. Despite the roadblocks posed by the US sanctions, Yang has shown that YMTC is capable of innovation and growth, potentially positioning the company to be a significant force in the global semiconductor market in the years to come.
Yang Shining’s leadership will be closely watched, both for his ability to navigate complex global challenges and for the future technological breakthroughs that YMTC is likely to achieve. While his personal story remains largely hidden, his professional impact on China’s semiconductor sector is undeniable.
