Qimonda gets 325 million EUR loan

Posted on Monday, December 22 2008 @ 16:44 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
Troubled German memory maker Qimonda announced it received a financing package of 325 million euros. Qimonda's parent firm Infineon injected 75 million euro, German state Saxony gave a 150 million euro loan and an unnamed Portuguese financial institution provided a 100 million euro loan.
Qimonda AG (NYSE: QI) announced today that it has arranged a Euro 325 million financing package for the ramp up of its innovative Buried Wordline technology. The package includes a Euro 150 million loan from the German Free State of Saxony, a Euro 100 million loan from a leading financial institution in Portugal and a Euro 75 million loan from Qimonda’s parent company Infineon. In addition, Qimonda will have the opportunity to draw on a Euro 280 million state guarantee by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Free State of Saxony. Qimonda is in advanced negotiations concerning the financing of Euro 150 million of this amount.

In return, Qimonda has committed the further development of its R&D and manufacturing sites in Porto, Portugal and Dresden, Germany. The company is increasing R&D efforts in Porto and intends to quickly ramp up its new 46nm Buried Wordline Technology and improve economies of scale in manufacturing at its lead facility in Dresden. The arrangements are subject to the finalization of the detailed terms of the loans and the relevant governmental and European procedures.

“The financing arrangements are based on the significant potentials offered by our highly innovative Buried Wordline Technology. They allow Qimonda to complete its repositioning, ramp up this exciting technology and re-establish its competitive position in the memory industry”, said Kin Wah Loh, CEO and president of Qimonda AG. “We thank especially the Free State of Saxony, Portugal and Infineon for their trust in our innovation and execution capabilities.”

Qimonda plans to report its Q4 and financial year 2008 earnings once management and its auditors have completed the work necessary to reflect the arrangement announced today on its financial condition, including the review of its long-lived assets for impairment that it announced in connection with the preparation of its full-year results. Qimonda expects its earnings announcement by the middle of January and will distribute invitations in due course.


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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