JSC SITRONICS, a leading provider of telecommunications, information
technology and
microelectronic solutions in Russia and the CIS, with a growing
presence in other EEMEA emerging markets, today announced its intention
to commence the construction of 90 nanometer microchip production
facilities, in cooperation with the Russian Corporation of
Nanotechnologies (“RUSNANO”).
A new joint
venture, with equal participations of SITRONICS and RUSNANO, is expected to be
created to implement the project. RUSNANO has approved up to RUR 6.5 billion of
investments in the project, while SITRONICS is planning to provide equipment.
The project
is expected to be implemented on the basis of the facilities of JSC “NIIME and
Micron”, a subsidiary of SITRONICS. Within the framework of the project,
SITRONICS intends to acquire a license from STMicroelectronics, a leading
developer of semiconductor solutions, to produce 90 nanometer integrated
circuits. The project might involve the creation of a design centre to design
the proprietary microchips.
The range
of the products to be produced within the framework of the project includes
chips for industrial electronics, vehicles, digital television, the GLONASS/
GPS navigation systems, as well as chips with enhanced functionality for
biometric passports and other personal documents, banking cards, SIM-cards and
chips for RFID-tags, including chips designed for logistics and retail. The new
integrated circuits are expected to deliver higher productivity and have a
larger memory, combined with low power consumption and increasingly
sophisticated protection mechanisms.
Sergey
Aslanian, President and Chief Executive Officer of SITRONICS, commented: “The
90 nanometre microchip production project will enable the Russian
microelectronics industry to advance to a new level. Our partnership with
RUSNANO indicates that the Russian state supports this project with great
dedication. Only by providing continued investments in the development of new
technologies and ideas, even in the current economic environment, we will be
able to maintain our competitive position and strengthen our industry
leadership.”
Dionis
Gordin, Managing Director of RUSNANO, added: “This project is of great
importance for Russia and will allow us to implement a number of state programs,
such as the “National Technological Base 2007 – 2011” and “The Development of
the Electronic Component Base and Radio 2008 – 2015”. The project is fully
in line with the priorities of state policy to launch strategically important
infrastructure facilities, which will enable a sustainable operation of the
Russian electronic industry”.
SITRONICS
