Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC), Taiwan's second-largest DRAM maker in 2009 by revenues, has set a capex goal of NT$10-11 billion (US$315-346 million) for 2010, according to the company. The majority of the planned spending is to upgrade equipment for the company's shift to 45nm process production.
PSC said it is scheduled to start producing DRAM chips using Elpida Technology's 45nm process technology in the second half of 2010. DRAM capacity at its 12-inch fabs now totals 80,000 wafers a month.
PSC allocated a capex of around NT$5 billion in 2009, representing significant cuts compared to about NT$20 billion in 2008 and NT$63.4 billion in 2007.
PSC reported net profits for the fourth quarter of 2009, after 10 consecutive quarterly losses. The once-struggling DRAM maker also posted its fourth straight monthly profit in February 2010.
Rivals Nanya Technology and Inotera Memories have estimated their capex for 2010 at NT$20-25 billion and NT$52 billion, respectively, up significantly from 2009 levels.
In other news, PSC's board of directors on March 9 approved plans to terminate operations of Vantel, its memory-design subsidiary in Japan. All of PSC's NAND flash-related R&D at Vantel will be moved to Taiwan, according to PSC.