Report: Matsushita, Renesas to co-develop 32nm chip

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Renesas Technology Corp. reportedly plan to co-develop a 32nm chip.

Agence France-Presse, citing the Nikkei financial newspaper, said the two firms hope to finalize the accord sometime this fiscal year.

News of a joint development of the most advanced process technology yet comes just days after the Japanese business daily reported similar negotiations involving Toshiba Corp., NEC Electronics Corp. and Fujitsu Ltd.

The Matsushita-Renesas deal will focus on how to make superfine chips that are more energy efficient than conventional versions for use in Matsushita's high-performance home electronics.

Semiconductor companies have been looking to forge alliances in a bid to share the high costs and risks of developing new products.