Renesas Electronics will phase out production at its Takasaki Factory in Japan within two to three years due to challenges with its 6-inch wafer line. The semiconductor manufacturer cited aging equipment, deteriorating utility facilities, and discontinued support for production materials as key factors behind the decision. The company plans to maintain and strengthen research and development functions at the site, focusing on analogue ICs and power semiconductors for data centres and automotive applications. Renesas will build inventory to ensure stable supply for customers during the transition. The firm committed to supporting affected employees through reassignment, career support, and other employment opportunities. Specific timing and details of the closure have not been finalised.

Renesas Electronics announced its third-generation DDR5 MRDIMM chipset solutions, delivering speeds up to 16,000 mega transfers per second for AI data centres and cloud infrastructure. The Gen 3 solutions provide 25% higher memory bandwidth than the previous generation whilst maintaining compatibility with existing DDR5 infrastructure. The chipset includes Multiplexed Registering Clock Driver and Multiplexed Data Buffer devices, designed to address growing memory bandwidth demands from AI workloads. Renesas offers a complete platform spanning MRCD, MDB, power management ICs, SPD hubs, and temperature sensors. The Gen 3 MRCD and MDB are currently sampling to select customers, including major DRAM suppliers. Production availability is expected in the second half of 2027. Renesas will showcase the solutions at FMS 2026 in Santa Clara, California, from 4-6 August.

Renesas Electronics has acquired Pictorus, a California-based software developer, to enhance its Renesas 365 platform. The acquisition adds cloud-based behavioral modelling capabilities that enable engineers to design embedded systems visually through block diagrams in a web browser. Pictorus automatically converts visual diagrams into executable embedded software in Rust, with C/C++ and Python interoperability, eliminating the need to write code manually. The technology accelerates embedded system development through rapid virtual prototyping and simulation capabilities. Founded by engineers with vehicle software experience, Pictorus addresses fragmentation in embedded development workflows. The acquisition supports Renesas' digitalization vision to make electronics design more accessible across automotive, robotics and industrial equipment sectors, where software-defined solutions are advancing rapidly.