Japan's Elpida Memory has decided on a new product-specific line manufacturing system for its DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) plant in Hiroshima, Japan. Pursuant to the new manufacturing scheme, the Hiroshima plant will be divided into two separate lines, one for mobile device-related DRAM products and the other for PC-related DRAM devices. Following the implementation of the new system in July, it is projected that the output of PC-related DRAM will be reduced by 10% to 20%.

Announcement of the new scheme followed a 140 billion Yen (US$1.46 billion; US$1=95.98 Yen) aid plan approved by the Japanese government to help the loss-making DRAM manufacturer at the end of June. Of the 140 billion Yen aid, 30 billion Yen (US$312.57 million) will be invested by the state-backed Development Bank of Japan, and the rest will be on loan from Development Bank of Japan and other private-owned banks. In addition to the aid, it is reported that Taiwan Memory Company will inject 20 billion Yen (US$208.38 million) into Elpida as well. Taiwan Memory Company is a fabless semiconductor company set up by the Taiwanese government to help the country's DRAM industry.

Elpida and Taiwan Memory Company have formed technology partnership, and Elpida is expected to transfer its 50nm technology to Taiwan Memory Company for the development of digital electronics and consumer devices.


For more information about this industry, view the report available at Electronics.ca Publications: The Taiwanese Dynamic Random Access Memory Industry.