SMIC Extends NROM Technology License Agreement With SAIFUN
04 January 2006 - 8:15PM
PR Newswire (US)
World-Leading Semiconductor Foundry to Produce Flash Memory Cards
Based on Saifun NROM(R) Technology SHANGHAI, China and NETANYA,
Israel, January 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Semiconductor
Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC"; NYSE: SMI and
HKSE: 981), one of the leading semiconductor foundries in the world
and China, and SAIFUN Semiconductors Ltd. (NASDAQ:SFUN), a provider
of intellectual property (IP) solutions for the non-volatile memory
(NVM) market, today announced that SMIC will use the SAIFUN NROM(R)
technology to develop and manufacture Flash memory cards. SAIFUN
NROM technology enables storage of up to four bit-per-cell or more
than double the storage capacity of a basic memory cell, and has a
cell architecture that requires fewer manufacturing steps, thereby
reducing manufacturing costs. "SMIC recognizes the Flash memory
card market as an important driver towards our success in the
future," said Mr. Marco Mora, Chief Operating Officer of SMIC. "Now
in our second agreement with Saifun, we are excited to introduce
high-density memory cards with Saifun's advanced memory technology.
We will soon look into key distribution channels that align with
our core strengths. SMIC truly believes with Saifun's leading
memory technology and our manufacturing strength, SMIC will be able
to bring to market an extremely competitive product." "We are
pleased that SMIC has extended our partnership into the memory card
market," said Mr. Kobi Rozengarten, President of Saifun
Semiconductors. "Since our first license agreement this past June,
both companies have been working closely together to develop
leading-edge Flash memory products for the data market based on the
NROM two-bit and four-bit technologies. With the growing demand for
high density cards, the combination of SMIC's advanced
manufacturing expertise and Saifun's innovative NROM technology
presents another significant growth opportunity for both
companies." About SMIC Semiconductor Manufacturing International
Corporation, ("SMIC", NYSE: SMI, HKSE: 0981.HK) is one of the
leading semiconductor foundries in the world, providing integrated
circuit (IC) manufacturing at 0.35um to 90nm and finer line
technologies to customers worldwide. Established in 2000, SMIC has
four 8-inch wafer fabrication facilities in volume production in
Shanghai and Tianjin. In the first quarter of 2005, SMIC commenced
commercial production at its 12-inch wafer fabrication facility in
Beijing. SMIC also maintains customer service and marketing offices
in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, and a representative office in Hong
Kong. As part of its dedication towards providing high-quality
services, SMIC strives to comply with or exceed international
standards and has achieved ISO9001, ISO/TS16949, OHSAS18001,
TL9000, BS7799 and ISO14001 certifications. For additional
information, please visit http://www.smics.com/. About Saifun
Semiconductors Ltd. SAIFUN Semiconductors Ltd. (NASDAQ:SFUN) is a
provider of intellectual property (IP) solutions for the
non-volatile memory (NVM) market. The company's innovative Saifun
NROM(R) technology allows semiconductor manufacturers to deliver
high performance, reliable products at a lower cost per megabit,
with greater storage capacity, using a single process for all NVM
applications. Saifun licenses its IP to semiconductor manufacturers
who use this technology to develop and manufacture a variety of
stand-alone and embedded NVM products. These include Flash memory
for the telecommunications, consumer electronic, networking and
automotive markets. Among the companies licensing Saifun NROM are
Infineon Technologies, Macronix International, Matsushita Electric
Industrial, SMIC, Sony Corporation, Spansion, and Tower
Semiconductors. Safe Harbor Statement Information provided in this
press release may contain statements relating to current
expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future
events that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements generally relate to the company's plans,
objectives and expectations for future operations and are based
upon management's current estimates and projections of future
results or trends. Actual future results may differ materially from
those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. For
a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see "Risk Factors" as
described in the Company's final prospectus filed on November 9,
2005 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection
with the company's initial public offering. These forward-looking
statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no
obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation & SAIFUN
Semiconductors Ltd DATASOURCE: ; CONTACT: Contact: Marsha Shalvi,
+972-989-28450, +972-544-942180, Samantha Sullivan, +1-617-488-0988
ext. 8, America & Europe: Reiko Chang, Tel: +86-(21)-5080-2000
ext 10544, E-mail: , Asia Pacific & other regions: Angela Miao,
Tel: +86-(21)-5080-2000 ext 10088, Fax: +86-(21)-5080-2868, E-mail:
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