Toshiba has announced that the equipment for manufacturing semiconductors is being handed over to Sony for $646 million (¥53 billion).
This transfer of equipment will strengthen Sony’s capacity to expand its CMOS image sensor business and meet the increasing demands of digital cameras and smart phones manufacturers.
An official from Sony stated that the company intends to be the leading provider of CMOS and CCD image sensors through the new expanded capacity.
In December 2010, Sony and Toshiba had entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding, but Toshiba has however agreed to sell its key equipment, which is currently located at a plant in Nagasaki and operated under the joint venture between the two companies and the Sony Computer Entertainment division. Once the transfer is made, the joint venture will be terminated.
Industry analysts, iSuppli had predicted that in 2010, CMOS devices would occupy a market share of over 90%. The unit volumes were expected to increase from 1.5 billion to 1.7 billion in 2009 with growing demand in the image sensor market.
Pam Tufegdzic, an analyst at iSuppli, predicts that in 2011, the total market value for sensors required in visible-range devices would increase by 16% at $6.7 billion.
The deal between Sony and Toshiba is expected to close on 1st April, 2011 and the fabrication equipment will then be under the ownership of Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation.
Source: http://www.toshiba.co.jp/