Elpida Memory plans mass production of DRAMS

Japanese semiconductor maker Elpida Memory plans mass production of 65-nanometer DRAMS by March 2008, becoming the first in the business to do so, a report said Saturday.
The 65 nanometer DRAMS have narrower circuit widths and smaller surface areas than conventional 70 nanometer versions, helping to boost productivity and lower costs by 30 percent, said the Nikkei newspaper, without citing sources. Once mass production kicks off at its Hiroshima plant in western Japan, Elpida will introduce the technology at Taiwan-based Rexchip Electronics Corp, a joint venture between Elpida and a local DRAM producer, the Nikkei said.
Capital spending is likely to be kept down because only some equipment will require upgrades to be compatible with the state-of-the-art technology, it added. Many DRAM manufacturers in South Korea, Taiwan and elsewhere have logged operating losses due to falling DRAM prices and are now putting off planned capital investments.