TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC), which was the second biggest Taiwan-based DRAM maker in 2009 in terms of revenues, has set a capex target of NT$10 billion-NT$11 billion (US $315-346 million) for 2010.

Powerchip Semiconductor said in a press release that a majority of the planned spending has been meant to upgrade equipment for the company’s shift to 45-nm process production.

The company said it has been scheduled to start production of DRAM chips using Elpida Technology’s 45-nm process technology in the second half of 2010.

DRAM capacity at Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation’s 12-inch fabs is currently a total of 80,000 wafers a month.

Powerchip Semiconductor had allocated a capex of about NT$5 billion in 2009 – which represented considerable cuts, compared to around NT$20 billion in 2008, and NT$63.4 billion in 2007.

The company reported net profits for the fourth quarter of 2009, after 10 quarterly losses in succession. It also earned, in February 2010, its fourth straight monthly profits. 

Nanya Technology and Inotera Memories and, competitors of Powerchip Semiconductor, have estimated their capex for 2010 at NT$20 billion-NT$25 billion and NT$52 billion, respectively – up considerably from the 2009 levels.

Meanwhile, the board of directors of Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation has approved plans to end operations at Vantel, the company’s memory-design subsidiary based in Japan. All of Powerchip Semiconductor’s NAND flash-related R&D at Vantel will be moved to Taiwan.