Hynix Semiconductor Inc, the world's third-largest maker of computer-memory chips, said it signed a preliminary agreement with ProMOS Technologies Inc (
Under the agreement, Hynix of South Korea will give access to some of its chip-manufacturing technology to ProMOS, Hynix said in an e-mailed statement. In turn, ProMOS will give Hynix access to its plants, the statement said. No money will change hands under the agreement, ProMOS vice president Albert Lin (
"The new alliance will represent nearly one quarter of the world's DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) output," Hynix said in a press release.
"Hynix and ProMOS also plan to collaborate in the development of next-generation process technologies," it said.
Hynix and ProMOS are betting that by joining forces, they will be able to compete against larger rivals such Samsung Electronics Co and Micron Technology Inc. Market leader Samsung and Micron had 51 percent of the US$15.5 billion computer-memory chip market last year, according to market researcher Gartner Inc.
"In order to advance, ProMOS has to find a partner," said Joyce Yang, who writes forecasts of chip prices at DramExchange.com, a Taiwan-based market for chips.
"Hynix is not in good financial health either," she said.
Hynix will use ProMOS' second 300mm chip plant which will start production by the end of 2005, Lin said. Hynix will be ProMOS' future supplier of so-called stacked technology, he said.
Chen Min-liang (
"The alliance forged between Hynix and ProMOS advances both parties into a new phase of viable long-term growth. We envision enormous benefits to both our clients and ourselves," Chen said.
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