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Rescuing the DRAM industry
The DRAM industry accounts for about 10% of global semiconductor revenues, and chronic oversupply and diminished demand has led to a near collapse in the industry, with related shock waves affecting growth in the semiconductor and related equipment markets.

In Taiwan, the government has been eyeing a rescue package for struggling DRAM players, but consolidation in the industry is expected to continue.
IN THE NEWS
Wednesday 18 February 2009
ProMOS yet to reach agreement with bondholders, stock to be downgraded
Despite an agreement with banks for a new loan, ProMOS Technologies has yet to work out a deal with bondholders for redeeming its ECBs, prompting market regulators to decide to downgrade...
Tuesday 17 February 2009
Banks OK ProMOS NT$3 billion loan
A consortium of nine Taiwan banks have agreed to extend a syndicated loan of NT$3 billion (US$87.5 million) to DRAM maker ProMOS Technologies, which is facing a cash crisis. The agreement...
Monday 16 February 2009
Micron-Nanya supporter to depart from Taiwan economics ministry
Pushing for the consolidation of the local DRAM industry and technological transfers from foreign players, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Afairs (MOEA) has seen two separate camps...
Monday 16 February 2009
ProMOS deadline for ECB redemption postponed to next week
ProMOS Technologies has been granted an extension on the deadline to redeem its ECB, according to a company February 13 filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). The DRAM maker...
Monday 16 February 2009
Elpida-led DRAM camp to win Taiwan government aid, sources claim
Japan's Elpida Memory and its Taiwanese partners reportedly will emerge as the winning camp in a race to receive support from the Taiwan government, which is seeking ways to forge...
Friday 13 February 2009
Taiwan government sets budget of NT$70 billion for DRAM consolidation plan
Taiwan's Economics Minister Chii-Ming Yiin has said that a budget from the National Development Fund, under the government's rescue plan for the island's ailing DRAM industry, will...
Friday 13 February 2009
ProMOS responds to media reports of severe financial troubles
ProMOS Technologies issued a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) to respond to Taiwan media reports claiming that it will likely fail in its bid to secure a syndicated loan...
Thursday 12 February 2009
Micron announces co-development with Nanya, updates 34nm NAND process
Micron Technology has announced that it has jointly developed a low-power DDR2 (LPDDR2) DRAM technology with Nanya Technology for mobile and consumer applications, with initial die...
Thursday 12 February 2009
ProMOS still negotiating loan with banks
DRAM maker ProMOS Technologies is still negotiating with banks over a syndicated loan of NT$5 billion (US$147 million), promising to provide NT$15 billion worth of production equipment...
Thursday 12 February 2009
Nanya and Inotera submit proposal for consolidation of Taiwan, Japan and US DRAM makers
Nanya Technology and its joint venture with Micron Technology, Inotera Memories, have jointly submitted a proposal to Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) seeking to consolidate...
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Qimonda approaches Formosa Plastics for takeover, paper says
The Formosa Plastics Group, Taiwan's largest petrochemical business group to which Nanya Technology and Inotera Memories belong, has been approached by Qimonda over the possibility...
Tuesday 10 February 2009
Taiwan government says no decision to invest in Elpida
A Taiwan official has dismissed a report that claimed the Taiwan government had decided to invest in Japan-based Elpida Memory in an effort to save the local DRAM industry.
Monday 9 February 2009
Winbond open to DRAM consolidation, says company executive
Winbond Electronics is open to possible consolidation in Taiwan's DRAM industry, according to company vice chairman and deputy chief executive officer (CEO) Ching-Chu Chang.
Friday 6 February 2009
Elpida posts fifth straight quarterly loss
Japan's Elpida Memory, the world's third-largest computer memory chipmaker, posted a fifth straight quarterly loss as a result of market erosion. The company said that an accelerated...
Friday 6 February 2009
DRAM maker PSC January sales up 22% sequentially, slashes jobs
Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) saw its January sales grow 22% sequentially, despite having a 70% drop on an on-year basis. The DRAM maker said 50 jobs have been cut in...