STAMFORD, CT — Citing improvements in DRAMs, research firm Gartner today raised its worldwide semiconductor revenue outlook, projecting 4% year-over-year growth.

SAN JOSE – Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment totaled $43.5 billion in 2011, up 9% year-over-year.

NEENAH, WI — Plexus is expanding in China and Romania, but the slow economy has put its planned addition here on hold.

WASHINGTON – The US, the EU and Japan have filed a World Trade Organization dispute settlement case against China’s export restraints on rare earths, tungsten and molybdenum.

The Office of the US Trade Representative says China imposes a number of unfair export restraints on rare earths, tungsten and molybdenum, including export duties, export quotas, export pricing requirements, and related export procedures and requirements.

The USTR claims these restrictions artificially increase prices outside of China, while lowering prices in the country, creating pressure on US and other non-Chinese firms to move operations to China.

The two sides have 60 days to reach an agreement. If a solution is not reached, the US may request the establishment of a dispute settlement panel to examine the case.