AI-Driven HBM4 Shift Opens New Outsourcing Market for Japanese Photomask Makers

AI servers are driving demand for HBM4 high-bandwidth memory, increasing both the number of photomasks required and the complexity of the manufacturing process. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are outsourcing some photomasks for mature processes to concentrate resources on advanced nodes. The move is creating new business for Japan’s Dai Nippon Printing, or DNP, and TOPPAN Holdings, underscoring how AI is reshaping the division of labor across the semiconductor supply chain.

Reports in 2026 said photomask outsourcing volumes at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix had doubled from previous levels, with DNP and TOPPAN taking the orders. The transaction values and actual shipment volumes have not been disclosed. Memory manufacturers are also adjusting shipment strategies to meet demand for NVIDIA GPUs, indicating that preparations for HBM4 mass production are already reallocating upstream materials and manufacturing resources.