Key points
- SDT is buying Korea's first Superion 256 from IonQ
- SDT plans a Gumi facility to assemble IonQ systems
- SDT gets priority in talks on new regional manufacturing work
- No investment amount or opening date was given
Korean quantum company SDT is buying an IonQ (IONQ) Superion 256 and plans a facility in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, to assemble IonQ systems and manufacture quantum memory components. The companies announced the multi-year partnership on September 22 in Korea. SDT is not listed on the Korean stock market.
It will be Korea's first Superion 256, according to IonQ's release. SDT is also getting IonQ's silicon-vacancy (SiV) quantum memory module, a component that stores quantum information. The Superion 256 is planned for deployment with an SDT customer in Korea, where the two companies plan a data center that combines quantum and conventional computers. The release does not name the customer.
What the Gumi site will do
SDT plans to build a dedicated manufacturing and system-integration facility in Gumi. It will package and manufacture IonQ's SiV quantum memory, and assemble IonQ quantum systems, connect their components and prepare them for operation. SDT becomes IonQ's preferred manufacturing partner for Asia-Pacific and Japan, Money Today (머니투데이) reported. When IonQ has new manufacturing work in the region, SDT gets the first chance to negotiate for it.
"Our objective is to make our new Gumi facility a key operational hub for IonQ's global supply chain and regional deployment by hosting manufacturing operations and assembling world-class quantum systems," said Jiwon Yune, SDT's chief executive.
Yune said SDT will also work with IonQ on a separate cancer center project in Korea, building quantum and conventional computing infrastructure for medical research.
The partnership grows out of earlier cloud software work between the two companies. IonQ's release also lists existing Korean partners including KISTI, SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor, Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University.
What the deal does not say
The companies disclosed neither the system's purchase price nor the planned investment in Gumi. They also gave no opening date for the facility.
