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A memorandum of understanding on open innovation was concluded by Hsinchu-based Industrial Technology Research Institute and U.S.-headquartered Applied Materials Inc. June 11 in the northern Taiwan county.
 
Under the pact inked by ITRI President Edwin Liu and Applied Materials President and CEO Gary Dickerson, the two sides will establish a platform to share information and foster commercialization in such fields as advanced packaging and display devices. They will also organize an annual summit to review related progress and examine new cooperation proposals.
 
According to Liu, the agreement on open innovation—the process of freely sharing knowledge and ideas—signifies a new chapter in their long-standing collaboration. The accord will deepen Applied Materials’ engagement in the institute’s cutting-edge research as well as boost ITRI’s links to global markets, he said.
 
Since setting up shop in Taiwan 30 years ago, Applied Materials has been a major partner of the local high-tech sector, helping transform the country into a front-runner in the global semiconductor and display industries.
 
Over the past decade, the California-based firm has forged research partnerships with ITRI in areas spanning semiconductors and organic light-emitting diodes. And June 5, it inaugurated a new NT$3 billion (US$95.57 million) manufacturing and R&D facility in Tainan City, southern Taiwan.
 
Occupying 5.1 hectares in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, the facility is dedicated to developing equipment for the production of large-sized liquid crystal displays, OLEDs and other flexible devices, according to Applied Materials. 
 
Established in 1973, ITRI is a nonprofit R&D outfit working to enhance the country’s industrial competitiveness. Over the years, it has acquired around 30,000 patents and incubated more than 280 companies including global tech giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (CPY-E)
 
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