Micron Technology reportedly will spend at least US$500 million to buy a stake in Japan rival Elpida Memory, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report. The speculation came on the heels of various other media reports that Elpida would propose an equity tie-up with Micron with some decision to be made as soon as February.

Elpida has reiterated that it declines to comment on speculation.

Taiwan's Nanya Technology and Inotera Memories were both quoted as saying in recent reports that DRAM makers should consider uniting as such moves could contribute to the industry's sustainable development.

According to IHS iSuppli, Samsung Electronics in the third quarter of 2011 expanded its share by 3.5pp to garner a record 45% of DRAM market revenues.