Toshiba Memory and Western Digital have finalized a formal agreement to jointly invest in the "K1" manufacturing facility that Toshiba Memory is currently constructing in Kitakami (Iwate Prefecture, Japan).

The K1 facility will produce 3D flash memory to support growing demand for storage in applications such as data centers, smartphones and autonomous cars.

The companies disclosed their joint capital investments in equipment for the K1 facility will enable initial production output of 96-layer 3D flash memory beginning in calendar 2020, with meaningful output expected to begin later in the year.

"Western Digital's long-term investment strategy for the Kitakami site reflects our ongoing commitment to drive flash technology development and manufacturing along with Toshiba Memory," said Steve Milligan, CEO of Western Digital.

Construction of the K1 facility, which kicked off in July 2018, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2019. The facility will be one of the most advanced manufacturing operations in the world dedicated to production of 3D flash memory, Toshiba Memory has claimed. It will also introduce an advanced production system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity, the company added.

By: DocMemory
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