Elpida Memory's planned TDR (Taiwan depositary receipt) issue has received approval from Taiwan's Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). The Japan-based memory chip vendor will submit its application to the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) soon, allowing it to raise capital on the Taiwan stock market.
Elpida's move to issue TDRs for trade on the TSE has sparked speculation that domestic Taiwan-based DRAM players' fundraisers might become much less favorable.
Industry sources also raised concerns about whether Elpida will secure additional funds through the TDR issue to initiate some merger projects in order to build up its integrated 12-inch capacity in Japan and Taiwan.
In addition to subsidiary Rexchip Electronics, Powerchip Technology and ProMOS Technologies are among Elpida's contract manufacturers for DRAM. Elpida also outsources its 1Gb GDDR3/GDDR5 products to Winbond Electronics.
In other news, Elpida reportedly is looking to set up a R&D center in Taiwan, jointly with Rexchip. In order to gain approval, the Japan-based chip vendor has proposed transferring some of its 30nm-class process technology assets to Taiwan.
In early 2010, Elpida and Rexchip revealed plans to jointly develop 40nm with 4F2 process technology, and establish an R&D center at the subsidiary.