Etron Technology is expected to see its cumulative shipments of USB 3.0 flash drive controllers surpass 10 million units in 2013, up significantly from the current one million units reached, according to the company.

Etron indicated that the company's recently-launched EV2669 and EV1669 USB 3.0 flash device controllers have drawn orders from Europe- and US-based memory module companies such as Corsair.

The new EV2669 chip, introduced in early January, enables Etron's USB3.0 flash drive customers to deliver read and write speeds of 260MB/s and 235MB/s, respectively, with MLC flash memories, Etron noted. The controller also meets demand for large data storage by supporting flash memory capacities up to 128GB.

Also unveiled in early January, Etron's EV1669 flash controller is capable of achieving read and write speeds of 100MB/s and 80MB/s, respectively, with TLC (triple-level-cell) flash memory. Both EV2669 and EV1669 chips do not need additional host drivers or software.

As for USB 3.0 host controllers, Etron has cumulatively shipped more than 10 million units, the company disclosed.

Market watchers expect Etron to return to profitability in the second quarter of 2013, citing robust growth in the company's USB 3.0 flash drive controller shipments. A rebound in prices for specialty DRAM (SDRAM) chips, which Etron also offers, will be another contributing factor, according to the watchers.

Etron swung to net losses in the third quarter of 2011, and has remained unprofitable since.