Micron, Nanya in DRAM JV

BOISE, USA & TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Micron Technology Inc., a leading provider of advanced semiconductor solutions, and Nanya Technology Corp., a leader in advanced memory semiconductors, announced that the two companies have signed an agreement to create MeiYa Technology Corp., a new DRAM joint venture.

The partnership will leverage both Micron and Nanya’s manufacturing technology, strengths and experience. As part of the joint venture, a 200mm Nanya manufacturing facility in Taiwan will be upgraded to industry-leading 300mm technology starting this year, with the facility coming online for production in 2009. In addition to MeiYa, the parties will jointly develop and share future technology.

Both parent companies will own 50 percent of the joint venture initially, and each will contribute USD $550 million in cash by the end of 2009. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval in Taiwan, and is expected to close within the next few months.

“This partnership brings greater scale and efficiency to the DRAM manufacturing operations of both parent companies, and Micron is pleased to officially enter into this joint venture with Nanya,” said Mark Durcan, Micron’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

“We are sure that MeiYa will demonstrate the synergistic combinations of Nanya and Micron’s strength in the DRAM industry,” said Dr. Jih Lien, Nanya’s President. “Nanya has a very high expectation for this new entity.”