IM Flash Technologies
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductor |
| Founded | January 2006 |
| Founder | Intel Corporation and Micron Technology, Inc. |
| Defunct | October 31, 2019 |
| Fate | Acquired by Micron Technology; renamed Micron Technology Utah, LLC |
| Headquarters | Lehi , United States |
Area served | Global |
| Products | 3D XPoint technology, NAND flash memory |
| Owner | Intel Corporation and Micron Technology, Inc. (until 2019); Micron Technology (after 2019) |
IM Flash Technologies, LLC was a semiconductor enterprise established in January 2006 as a collaborative venture between Intel Corporation and Micron Technology, Inc. Focused on memory solutions, IM Flash developed 3D XPoint technology targeted at data centers and advanced computing systems, operating a 300mm wafer fabrication facility located in Lehi, Utah, United States.
The company grew by inaugurating a second 300mm wafer fab, known as IM Flash Singapore, which commenced operations in April 2011. IM Flash was at the forefront of NAND flash advancements, implementing 34 nm design rules in 2008 and progressing to 25 nm NAND chips through the use of 193-nm immersion lithography coupled with self-aligned double-patterning (SADP) methods. By 2011, the firm had achieved a 20 nm manufacturing process, representing the smallest NAND flash technology available at that period.
On July 16, 2018, Micron and Intel revealed plans to discontinue their joint development efforts on 3D XPoint following the completion of the second-generation technology, anticipated in early 2019. Future development initiatives would be independently managed to better align with each company's respective product strategies. Production of 3D XPoint memory continued at the IMFT facility in Lehi, Utah.
Micron announced on October 18, 2018, its intention to purchase Intel’s remaining stake in IM Flash Technologies, LLC. The acquisition process was scheduled to start on January 1, 2019, with an expected closing timeframe between six and twelve months. Micron projected a cash payment close to $1.5 billion to cover Intel’s non-controlling interest along with approximately $1 billion of IM Flash’s member debt as of August 2018.
The acquisition was finalized by Micron on October 31, 2019, after which IM Flash Technologies was renamed Micron Technology Utah, LLC.
Later, on October 22, 2021, Texas Instruments acquired the Lehi fabrication plant from Micron for $900 million.