infrastructure

Emerging Infrastructure

US Semiconductor Company Invests $20 Million in New Validation Center in Bengaluru

stacked cards
by Doable
| published 3/13/24, 2:12 am
applied-materials
appliedmaterials.com
TL;DR Quick Facts
  • Applied Materials investing $20 million in new validation center in Bengaluru to support India's semiconductor industry growth.
  • Company aligning with India's push towards semiconductor manufacturing by collaborating with upcoming fab center in Dholera, Gujarat.
  • India Validation Center in Bengaluru serves as hub for talent development and capability building, demonstrating ability to process 300-mm wafers.

Applied Materials is investing $20 million in a new validation center in Bengaluru, aiming to support India's semiconductor industry growth. The center showcases the company's commitment to building India's chip manufacturing capabilities and has been recognized by key government officials.

What to know: Applied Materials, a US-based semiconductor company, is investing $20 million in a new validation center in Bengaluru. The company's top executive expressed excitement about collaborating with the upcoming fab center in Dholera, Gujarat, during a recent media discussion. This move aligns with India's push towards semiconductor manufacturing, with Tata Electronics and Taiwan-based Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp partnering to build the country's first commercial semiconductor fab. The Union Cabinet recently approved this project, along with two others totaling over $15 billion in investment.

Looking ahead: The 'India Validation Center' (IVC) in Bengaluru will serve as a hub for early pilots, talent development, and capability building for the upcoming India Collaborative Engineering Centre. Equipped to accommodate 500 employees initially, Applied Materials plans to expand its capacity over time. Notably, the center has demonstrated the ability to process 300-mm wafers, a first for private industry in India. The facility was inaugurated with the presentation of one such wafer to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and IT, highlighting the company's commitment to India's semiconductor industry growth.

Deeper details: The India Validation Centre underscores Applied Materials' dedication to bolstering India's chip manufacturing resilience. With a significant presence in the country for over two decades, the company has 7,500 employees in India, constituting a fifth of its global workforce. The validation center in Bengaluru is part of Applied Materials' broader investment strategy, which includes a $400 million commitment over four years announced in 2023. By fostering manufacturing capabilities and showcasing global trust in India, the company aims to play a pivotal role in advancing the semiconductor sector's growth in the country.