Toshiba and SanDisk could be takeover targets of Tsinghua

Word is going around that Chinese state-owned firm Tsinghua Unigroup may be interested in taking over SanDisk and Toshiba's memory business. The company's Unisplendor unit recently revealed plans to buy a 15 percent stake in Western Digital for $3.78 billion and the country intends further moves to establish itself as a major player in the DRAM and NAND flash memory markets.

Plans to make an equity investment in Micron Technology and build a 12-inch JV fab with the US-based vendor is China's next step to move closer to its goal of stepping into the DRAM sector, the sources noted. Tsinghua Unigroup will likely take over a 10-20% stake in Micron and form a strategic alliance with the US company, the sources said.

Charles Kau, a senior executive from Taiwan's DRAM industry, will play a key figure in negotiating with Micron for some form of cooperation in the DRAM field, the sources indicated. Kau is expected to join Tsinghua Unigroup soon after leaving his current positions.

Source: DigiTimes