TAIPEI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Taiwan chip maker United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) said on Thursday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Polar Semiconductor to explore collaboration on manufacturing of 8-inch wafers in the United States.

In a statement, UMC said the companies would identify products to be made at Polar’s recently expanded 8-inch fab in Minnesota, meeting demand from industries such as automobiles, data centres, consumer electronics, and aerospace and defence.