Lead Data, a second-tier producer of optical storage discs in Taiwan, will begin deliveries of blank 8x DVD-R discs to a Japanese client in February, as DigiTimes reports.

The client is one of the world’s top five optical disc brands, Lead Data said.

With rising global supply of 8x DVD discs, the OEM price of blank 4x DVD-R discs is likely to drop to US$0.60 in the second quarter of this year, according to Lead Data.

Lead Data recently signed 2004 orders with major clients, booking up over 80% of its production capacity.

To fund equipment and material purchases this year, Lead Data issued US$27.5 million of ECBs (euro-convertible bonds) in October.