Japan's Elpida Memory is considering undertaking another capacity-cut strategy for its commodity DRAM production, aimed at curbing further price drops, Taiwan-based online media MoneyDJ quoted Nikkei Business Daily as reporting on November 16. Elpida reduced its PC DRAM capacity by 25% previously.
Elpida previously unveiled plans to accelerate technology transition to 30nm and below processes at its Hiroshima plant, and also transfer some of its in-house capacity to Taiwan-based subsidiary Rexchip Electronics. The moves are to reduce its manufacturing costs and combat the appreciation of the Japanese yen.
Elpida is currently the world's third-largest DRAM chipmaker by revenues after Samsung Electronics and Hynix Semiconductor.
In other news, DRAM contract prices for the first half of November fell sightly with 2GB modules quoted at US$10.25 on average, down 2.4%. Average prices for 4GB parts declined 2.6% to US$19 during the same period.