Ritek has reportedly signed an ODM contract with Japan-based Hitachi Maxell for the exclusive production of DVD and CD-R discs, with an annual order value estimated at US$244 million and shipments to begin next quarter, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN). Ritek, however, declined to comment on the report, emphasizing that there is a non-disclosure agreement in any OEM/ODM contract it signs with clients.

Since Hitachi Maxell has signed with Royal Philips Electronics for cross licensing of patents, Ritek does not need to pay royalty fees to Phillips for DVD and CD-R discs shipped under the Maxell brand, the paper indicated.