Kioxia and Western Digital Announce Newest 3D Flash Memory

Rhea-AI Summary

Kioxia Corporation and Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC) have unveiled a groundbreaking 3D flash memory technology that promises enhanced performance, density, and cost-effectiveness. This innovation, born from their strong partnership, utilizes advanced scaling and wafer bonding technologies, achieving over 50% bit density improvement. The new 218-layer 3D flash supports 1Tb TLC and QLC with high-speed NAND I/O surpassing 3.2Gb/s. With sample shipments for select customers underway, the eighth-generation BiCS FLASH™ is poised to meet the growing demands of data-centric applications like smartphones and data centers.

Positive

• Collaboration with Kioxia enhances innovation and leadership in flash memory technology.
• Achieved over 50% increase in bit density with the new 218-layer 3D flash memory.
• High-speed NAND I/O exceeding 3.2Gb/s represents a 60% performance upgrade over previous generations.
• Sample shipments for the eighth-generation BiCS FLASH™ have commenced.

Negative

• None.

Groundbreaking Architectural Innovations in Scaling and Wafer Bonding Technology Deliver a Major Leap in Performance, Density and Cost Effectiveness

TOKYO & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Demonstrating continued innovation, Kioxia Corporation and Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC) today announced details of their newest 3D flash memory technology. Applying advanced scaling and wafer bonding technologies, the 3D flash memory delivers exceptional capacity, performance and reliability at a compelling cost, which makes it ideal for meeting the needs of exponential data growth across a broad range of market segments.

“The new 3D flash memory demonstrates the benefits of our strong partnership with Kioxia and our combined innovation leadership,” said Alper Ilkbahar, Senior Vice President of Technology & Strategy at Western Digital. “By working with one common R&D roadmap and continued investment in R&D, we have been able to productize this fundamental technology ahead of schedule and deliver high-performance, capital-efficient solutions.”

Kioxia and Western Digital reduced the cost by introducing several unique processes and architectures, enabling continued lateral scaling advancements. This balance between vertical and lateral scaling produces greater capacity in a smaller die with fewer layers at an optimized cost. The companies also developed groundbreaking CBA (CMOS directly Bonded to Array) technology, wherein each CMOS wafer and cell array wafer are manufactured separately in its optimized condition and then bonded together to deliver enhanced bit density and fast NAND I/O speed.

“Through our unique engineering partnership, we have successfully launched the eighth-generation BiCS FLASH^TM with the industry's highest¹ bit density,” said Masaki Momodomi, Chief Technology Officer at Kioxia Corporation. “I am pleased that Kioxia’s sample shipments for limited customers have started. By applying CBA technology and scaling innovations, we’ve advanced our portfolio of 3D flash memory technologies for use in a range of data-centric applications including smartphones, IoT devices and data centers.”

The 218-layer 3D flash leverages 1Tb triple-level-cell (TLC) and quad-level-cell (QLC) with four planes and features innovative lateral shrink technology to increase bit density by over 50 percent. Its high-speed NAND I/O at over 3.2Gb/s, a 60 percent improvement over the previous generation, combined with a 20 percent write performance and read latency improvement, will accelerate overall performance and usability for users.

About Kioxia

Kioxia is a world leader in memory solutions, dedicated to the development, production and sale of flash memory and solid-state drives (SSDs). In April 2017, its predecessor Toshiba Memory was spun off from Toshiba Corporation, the company that invented NAND flash memory in 1987. Kioxia is committed to uplifting the world with memory by offering products, services and systems that create choice for customers and memory-based value for society. Kioxia's innovative 3D flash memory technology, BiCS FLASH™, is shaping the future of storage in high-density applications, including advanced smartphones, PCs, SSDs, automotive and data centers.

About Western Digital

Western Digital is on a mission to unlock the potential of data by harnessing the possibility to use it. With Flash and HDD franchises, underpinned by advancements in memory technologies, we create breakthrough innovations and powerful data storage solutions that enable the world to actualize its aspirations. Core to our values, we recognize the urgency to combat climate change and have committed to ambitious carbon reduction goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Learn more about Western Digital and the Western Digital®, SanDisk® and WD® brands at www.westerndigital.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding expectations for the availability, production, capabilities, performance, reliability, efficiency and impact of our next generation 3D flash memory technology and products using our next generation 3D flash memory technology. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: volatility in global economic conditions; future responses to and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or other similar global health crises; impact of business and market conditions; the outcome and impact of our ongoing strategic review, including with respect to customer and supplier relationships, regulatory and contractual restrictions, stock price volatility and the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; impact of competitive products and pricing; our development and introduction of products based on new technologies and expansion into new data storage markets; risks associated with cost saving initiatives, restructurings, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures and our strategic relationships; difficulties or delays in manufacturing or other supply chain disruptions; hiring and retention of key employees; our level of debt and other financial obligations; changes to our relationships with key customers; disruptions in operations from cybersecurity incidents or other system security risks; actions by competitors; risks associated with compliance with changing legal and regulatory requirements and the outcome of legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 25, 2022, to which your attention is directed. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events, except as required by law.

©2023 Kioxia Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

©2023 Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Western Digital, the Western Digital design, and the Western Digital logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

¹ Source: As of March 30, 2023. Kioxia survey.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230330005842/en/

Kioxia Contact:

Kota Yamaji

Kioxia Public Relations

81-3-6478-2319

kioxia-hd-pr@kioxia.com

Western Digital Contacts:

Robin Schultz

Western Digital Public Relations

1-408-573-5043

robin.schultz@wdc.com

T. Peter Andrew

Western Digital Investor Relations

1-949-672-9655

peter.andrew@wdc.com

Source: Kioxia Corporation

FAQ

What is the significance of the new 3D flash memory technology from Western Digital?

The new 3D flash memory technology offers increased performance, density, and cost-effectiveness, addressing the needs of exponential data growth.

How has Western Digital's partnership with Kioxia impacted its technology?

The partnership has enabled Western Digital to accelerate innovation and product development in 3D flash memory technology.

What are the performance improvements of the new 3D flash memory from Western Digital?

The latest 3D flash memory boasts over 50% increased bit density and NAND I/O speeds of over 3.2Gb/s.

When did sample shipments for the new memory technology start?

Sample shipments for the eighth-generation BiCS FLASH™ began as of the press release date.