KTVB

BOISE - Boise-based chipmaker Micron Technology signed an agreement with Taiwan’s Nanya Technology to explore working together to develop new dynamic random access memory chips.

The two companies will also invest jointly in a new state-of-the-art chip fabrication plant.  It isn’t currently known where the plant would be located.

NewsChannel 7 first reported the joint venture possibility last month.  Today’s announcement is just the first step toward a deal between the companies – a definitive agreement could be signed in the next few months.

“Partnering with Nanya would be significant to Micron as we continue to drive toward the most cost-effective ways to grow and innovate,” Micron COO Mark Durcan said in a prepared statement. “Nanya has proven its capabilities to be a leader in manufacturing technology and is strategically located near our growing customer base.”

The companies would work together to manufacture DRAM chips with transistors smaller than 50 micrometers.  Chips with smaller components are more energy efficient.