Elpida to partner for China fab, says report

LONDON — Japan's Elpida Memory Inc. is planning to team up with a Taiwanese DRAM chipmaker to share the cost of a wafer fab in mainland China, according to a Taiwan Economic News report, which cited newswires quoting Elpida CEO Yukio Sakamoto as its source. The chip factory would open in 2012, the report said.

Products that are going to be consumed in mainland China probably have to be made there, the report said, adding that Elpida would ask for financial help from the Chinese government.

ProMOS Technologies Inc. is the most likely partner and PowerChip Semiconductor Corp. is a second favorite to land the cooperation deal, the report said. The report indicated that the cooperation would likely start with a 200-mm wafer fab for non-standard memories.