Imec and SK Hynix Sign Extensive Joint Research Agreement

Since 2007, SK Hynix has been a strategic partner in imec’s joint research platforms on advanced lithography, addressing immersion and EUV lithography challenges, and on next-generation non-volatile memory processes. As a key partner in imec’s core CMOS R&D program, SK Hynix will begin a new phase of collaboration, gaining early insight to breakthrough research and fundamental understanding in each research area of imec’s core CMOS R&D program. Both partners will continue to collaborate on advanced lithography and advanced memory, and SK Hynix will also join imec’s research platforms on logic devices, advanced interconnects and 3D system integration. SK Hynix designers will be able to leverage early technology insight to make informed choices for product roadmaps and high-bandwidth optical interconnects for future systems.

“SK Hynix has highly recognized imec’s technology leadership in this industry. We expect this extended collaboration including Logic, Interconnect and 3D area with imec to be a cornerstone to enable us to strengthen our research competence for the next generation technology,” said Sungjoo Hong, Senior Vice President and Head of R&D Division of SK Hynix.

“We are excited that SK Hynix has joined our research platform as a full core partner. It is a confirmation of our fruitful collaboration during the past five years, and proof of the value imec offers the semiconductor industry,” said Luc Van den hove, president and CEO of imec “Collaborative path finding R&D based on a sharing of cost, risk, talent and IP, and cross fertilization between logic and memory companies, has become indispensable to overcoming the formidable challenges facing our industry. SK Hynix’s valuable know-how in memory scaling has been, and will continue to be, an important asset for imec’s global research platform.”

About imec

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of close to 2,000 people includes more than 600 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2011, imec's revenue (P&L) was about 300 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.

Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.) and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shangai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).

Contact:

imec : Katrien Marent, Director of External Communications, T: +32 16 28 18 80, Mobile : +32 474 30 28 66, katrien.marent@imec.be