The board of Macronix, a Taiwanese provider of NVM (Non-Volatile Memory) semiconductor solutions, approved on December 26 the plan to form an alliance with Germany-based Qimonda to develop advanced flash memory process technologies.

According to Taiwan's Commercial Times, the collaboration between Macronix and Qimonda is expected to focus on NAND flash memory products, which will be produced using 45nm or newer process technologies in 12-inch wafer foundries. Qimonda plans to manufacture the new products on its own, and Macronix is expected to source the production to third-party foundries, without ruling out the possibility to build its own 12-inch wafer foundry, though.

The two companies expect to finalize and sign the contract no later than the Lunar New Year, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News.