Intel: Micron 3D XPoint factory acquisition will not affect Optane SSDs

Intel has announced that the proposed full acquisition of the 3D Xpoint flash factory by Micron will not affect the release schedule of Intel’s own Optane products. It was already known that both companies will stop jointly developing memory.

Intel said in a statement published by Anandtech that it has plenty of other locations for the production of Optane products and, according to the chipmaker, there are also no changes expected for the release schedule of Optane SSDs in the coming quarters. The chipmaker emphasizes that Micron’s recent announcement to fully acquire the joint Intel-Micron Flash Technologies factory is only a pre-announcement, which can also only be initiated from January 1, 2019.

The factory is part of a joint venture between Micron and Intel that produces 3D Xpoint. Under the agreement, if Micron takes full ownership of the plant, the company must continue to supply wafers with 3D XPoint memory to Intel at current prices for up to one year after the acquisition closes. After that, Intel will have to enter into a new agreement with Micron. According to Intel, this new situation will not affect the Optane roadmap.

Earlier this year, it became clear that Intel and Micron were ending their collaboration for the production of the memory technology. In July, the companies announced that the collaboration will continue until the second half of 2019, so that the development of the second generation of 3D Xpoint can be completed. The two companies use the same memory technology, with Micron using the QuantX name. Micron has not yet released any products from that, while Intel has already done so with the Optane.