China’s YMTC Chip With 232 Layers of Reminiscence Cells to Catch Up With Rivals

Chinese language chipmaker Yangtze Reminiscence Applied sciences Ltd (YMTC) on Wednesday introduced new reminiscence chip know-how that may assist it meet up with rivals Micron and SK Hynix, simply as Washington considers steeper curbs on Chinese language semiconductor firms.

The corporate unveiled its fourth-generation 3D NAND chip, the X3-9070, and its first to characteristic 232 layers of reminiscence cells, government-backed media outlet World Occasions reported on Wednesday.

That locations it near rival Micron, which final month stated it aimed to begin mass manufacturing of its 232 layer chip by the top of the 12 months.

South Korea’s SK Hynix has additionally developed its first 238-layer reminiscence chip, boasting a brand new trade benchmark.

A YMTC spokesperson declined to touch upon the World Occasions report.

Business specialists say that whereas YMTC will unlikely launch mass manufacturing of the chip any time quickly, it however marks a breakthrough for the corporate.

The corporate’s market share stays within the single digits, however it’s aggressively increasing manufacturing capability and R&D with the assistance of state subsidies.

Toby Zhu, who tracks China’s chip sector at analysis agency Canalys, says that whereas the YMTC’s income has improved over time, gaps stay between it and market leaders.

As soon as a little-known participant backed by the ailing Chinese language state-conglomerate Tsinghua Unigroup, YMTC has attracted consideration within the chip trade for its quick developments in R&D.

Bloomberg reported in March that telephone maker Apple was contemplating utilizing YMTC as a reminiscence chip provider, which might mark a significant boon for the upstart firm.

Reuters reported earlier this week that Washington, citing a rising risk from China, is contemplating putting restrictions on firms that provide to YMTC, forbidding gear makers from promoting components to the corporate that allow it to fabricate chips at 128 layers and above.

The restrictions, if enacted, might rattle YMTC’s ambitions to develop its enterprise, not not like how sanctions in 2020 rattled Chinese language telephone maker Huawei Applied sciences Ltd.