Toshiba will construct a state-of-the-art fabrication facility (fab) on a site next to Yokkaichi Operations, its memory production facility in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Toshiba Yokkaichi Operations currently has four NAND flash memory fabs. The scale of Fab 5 will be comparable with that of Fab 4, which is now in operation. The new fab will have a quake-absorbing structure, and be designed for minimal environmental impact. Energy-saving clean rooms and effective use of waste heat are expected to cut CO2 emissions to a level 12% lower than from Fab 4.
Construction of the new fab, Fab 5, will start in July this year. Plans call for the completion of Fab 5’s construction in spring 2011. The fine details of the investment plan and the fab’s capacity will be decided by reviewing market trends.
