SK Hynix Inc. said Tuesday that it acquired Italian NAND flash developer Ideaflash S.r.l. last month for an undisclosed sum and has turned it into a research and development center in the European region to strengthen the development of its flash memory technology and to address the rapidly growing demand for flash memory chips.

"SK Hynix will respond to demands in Europe and reinforce abilities in NAND Flash development," the South Korean chipmaker said in a statement.

Ideaflash, which has about 50 research and development experts with 12 or more years of average experience, has developed various Flash memory devices and has counted ST Micro and Spansion among its clients, SK Hynix said.

Carla Golla, Ideaflash's former chief executive, has been appointed to head SK Hynix's newly opened Italy R&D Center, the Korean company said.

SK Hynix currently operates its research and development centers in the U.S., Japan and Taiwan.