RAM crisis could soon get worse as disruption in Strait of Hormuz shipping hits supply chain hard

Date:
Thu, 21 May 2026 09:52:55 +0000

Description:
Fresh RAM price hikes could be imminent as the memory chip supply chain comes under more pressure.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter RAM could soon get more expensive This is due to the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz Specifically it pertains to problems with the supply of hydrofluoric acid, used for etching and cleaning in RAM production There could be another complication for the RAM supply chain coming soon, bringing the prospect of even pricier memory sticks.

We've heard before that disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are a problem for the supply of certain vital chemicals used in memory production. And now, The Elec reports (via Tom's Hardware ) that this ongoing situation
is going to usher in further price hikes which are described as an 'Iran-linked supply shock'. The Elec notes that hydrofluoric acid, which is used for etching and cleaning in RAM production, is increasing in price due
to the core ingredient, anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, becoming more expensive it's leapt by 40% since 2026 began. Latest Videos From You may like We are only able to supply, for our key customers in the midterm, about 50% to two-thirds of their requirements: Micron CEO forecasts production spend increase to meet the insane demand for memory but the RAM crisis will only get worse HP admits RAM crisis means memory now consumes 35% of total cost of its PCs SK Group chairman's bleak warning on RAM crisis: it could last until 2030

The upshot is that while the increases have been absorbed and not passed on thus far, this won't continue to be the case. Come late June or July, South Korean memory chip makers Samsung and SK Hynix will be paying more for this acid and the price hike will be a 'significant' one.

As The Elec explains, the supply problems here can be traced back to a shortfall in sulfur, with the global supply of that element dropping by
almost a third due to the issues with the Strait of Hormuz. The core ingredient for hydrofluoric acid requires sulfuric acid for its production, hence the knock-on effect from the major supply wobble with sulfur. Analysis: under pressure (yet again) (Image credit: ShutterStock) With the suppliers of hydrofluoric acid charging memory chip makers more due to their rising costs, the RAM manufacturers will naturally be passing those costs on, and the bill will, in the end, land in the hands of buyers out there.

In short, with manufacturing set to become more expensive in about a month's time, we'll see more RAM price increases. (Of course, there'll be a delay in terms of the memory chips being made, and then actually deployed in sticks, and shipped to retailers, OEMs and the like). Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Unfortunately, this is another lesson in how the disruption of global trade and shipping can, and inevitably does, have far-reaching effects. Of course, the last thing the RAM industry and consumers need is yet another pricing pressure on the cost of memory, which has got stupidly expensive as it is.

This kind of news makes you wonder whether the RAM crisis will ever end, and current predictions are that it's likely to make its presence felt until 2028 (at the very least ). That said, we heard a more optimistic take from an ex-Samsung boss just yesterday , but this runs against the grain. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/computing-components/ram-crisis-could-soon -get-worse-as-disruption-in-strait-of-hormuz-shipping-hits-supply-chain-hard


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