The Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) and Micron Technology Inc. have co-defined Inotera Memory Inc. as a pure DRAM (dynamic random access memory) maker so that the two organizations can focus on DRAM R&D and marketing in their cooperation deal.
The two organizations drew up clear division-of-labor strategy for the first time after two years of cooperation on the DRAM front.
Inotera is now a joint venture between FPG and Micron after Micron took over the 30% ownership in Inotera from the folded Qimonda AG, which was a spin-off of Infineon AG of Germany. Micron has transferred its stack type of DRAM technology to Inotera to replace Infineon`s trench type of technology.
The strategy suggests FPG`s DRAM subsidiary, Nanya Technology Corp., will stop expansion and leave production of advanced DRAMs to Inotera while Micron will count on Inotera for most of the memory chips it needs so that it can focus on Flash-memory production.
After entering into alliance with Micron, FPG has sold Nanya`s 200-mm wafer fabs to Inotera.
Inotera`s president, Charles Kao, said his company will dedicate itself to manufacturing quality, competitive DRAM chips in line with the two holding companies` R&D and marketing strategies.
However, Micron, Kao said, for the time being has no plan to contract Inotera to make flash memory chips for it.