COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, January 6, 1998 Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq: RMTR) announced today an agreement with Asahi Chemical Industry CO., Ltd. to develop and manufacture Ramtron’s ferroelectric random access memory (FRAMÒ ). FRAM memory is a new generation memory technology developed and patented by Ramtron that merges the benefits of many memory technologies into a single device. In addition, FRAM memory saves its data even when power is lost or removed.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will initially define and develop a prototype embedded FRAM integrated circuit (IC). Upon successful completion of the initial phase, Ramtron and Asahi plan to establish a FRAM memory manufacturing capability at Asahi or its subsidiary. At that time, Asahi has an option to obtain a FRAM memory license from Ramtron for product densities up to 64 kilobit. The agreement also provides for certain future royalty and manufacturing capacity considerations to Ramtron.
"We are pleased to begin work with Asahi to advance FRAM technology in embedded IC applications," said Greg Jones, Ramtron’s president and COO. "Asahi leads the industry in several technologies for communications and multimedia solutions. This cooperation provides our companies with avenues to bring new feature-rich solutions to these applications."
FRAM memory products are ideal for application in a wide variety of products, including consumer electronics, industrial control systems, medical electronics, and portable computing systems among others. In addition, FRAM memory has unique benefits in rapidly emerging RF/ID and smart card applications. Due to the broad feature set offered by FRAM memory, the available market for FRAM memory products is expected to grow to more than $10 billion by the year 2000.
In addition to Asahi, Ramtron has FRAM licensing and manufacturing agreements with top semiconductor producers including Hitachi, Rohm, and Toshiba and Fujitsu. The agreements provide for royalty considerations, and manufacturing capacity that can be utilized by Ramtron to develop its own product business. The company also has licensing and/or development agreements with Samsung and SGS-Thomson.
Asahi Chemical, established in 1931, is a global company with major operations in chemicals, plastics, construction materials, housing, semiconductors and electronic materials, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, and food and beverages. Asahi Chemical’s LSI semiconductor business is primarily comprised of custom devices for mobile telecommunications and application specific standard products. The semiconductor business entered full operation in 1993 with the completion of an LSI manufacturing plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture. Asahi’s strategy is to continue to develop operations in pharmaceuticals and electronics-related products as major areas for future growth. Asahi employs more than 27,000 people worldwide and had 1997 revenue in excess of $9 billion.
Ramtron is the leading developer of ferroelectric random access memory (FRAMâ ) products -- new high-performance nonvolatile memories that merge the benefits of many mainstream memory technologies into a single device. The company also develops and markets ultra-high performance EDRAM memory products through its wholly owned subsidiary, Enhanced Memory Systems, Inc.