Apr. 25, 2008 – Japan’s Elpida Memory plans to buy an ownership stake in 2nd-tier firm ProMOS Technologies through a private placement, even as it explores a DRAM JV with Qimonda and an existing far-reaching JV with regional rival Powerchip Semiconductor, according to wire reports.
The Nikkei daily points to a Reuters report citing “a source close to ProMOS” that the two have agreed on giving Elpida a “single-digit percentage” stake, making it the firm’s third-largest shareholder. Elpida declined to comment, according to the report, while a ProMOS rep denied knowing of such a plan.
Elpida is Japan’s sole remaining DRAM producer; ProMOS is Taiwan’s third-biggest DRAM maker (in revenues) after Powerchip and Nanya.