Memory-IC packaging and testing specialist Powertech Technology (PTI) is expected to enjoy significant growth in sales of its logic IC backend service business in 2014, thanks to rising orders for handset chips , according to industry sources.

　　PTI's development of backend services for MEMS microphone chips is also set to bear fruit in 2014, said the sources.

　　PTI has landed orders from a number of handset chip suppliers, including MediaTek, the sources noted. The backend firm secured mainly wirebonding orders for MediaTek's dual-core handset solutions in the fourth quarter, the sources said.

　　PTI is also eyeing orders for quad-core handset chips from MediaTek, the sources indicated.

　　In addition, PTI has grabbed new orders from China-based tablet applications processor suppliers, the sources observed. PTI may benefit from China's fast-growing tablet market in 2014, the sources said.

　　Meanwhile, PTI has obtained flip-chip packaging orders for MEMS microphone chips from Taiwan-based IC design house Solid State System (3S), the sources revealed. New orders for MEMS products will make another positive contribution to the backend firm's overall sales of its logic IC service business in 2014, the sources said.

　　PTI chairman DK Tsai remarked at the company's last investors meeting that its offerings for logic ICs would expand and generate more revenues in 2014. PTI's logic IC business includes 3D ICs using through-silicon-via (TSV) technology and wafer-level packaging services.

　　For PTI's 3D TSV packaging, the company had scaled up production capacity to 8,000 wafers a month, Tsai disclosed previously. The monthly capacity would climb further to 24,000 wafers in May 2014.

　　As of the end of third-quarter 2013, DRAM and NAND flash products accounted for 34% and 38%, respectively, of PTI's total revenues. The remaining 28% was took up by the company's logic IC backend service business.