
TCS, IBM, Applied Materials, KLA in race to modernize India’s state chip unit
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Plans to upgrade India’s lone state-owned chip fabrication unit have picked up pace, with the Centre meeting 35 companies last month in a bid to evaluate their roles in a potential deal that is worth ₹4,000 crore.
According to two executives aware of the matter, companies like TCS, HCLTech, Israel-based Tower Semiconductors, and US firms such as Applied Materials, KLA Corporation, and IBM, among others, are vying for the opportunity to bring the existing 180-nanometre (nm) semiconductor production line of Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali up to speed and eventually move into more advanced chips. These companies are expected to submit their bids soon, one of the two executives said on condition of anonymity.
The last day to submit the bids is 16 April. “Companies like IBM, Belgium-based IMEC, and Tower Semiconductors can help SCL with advanced technology transfers, whereas the major role for equipment replacements can be done by firms such as Applied Materials and KLA," the executive cited above said, adding that IT services companies such as TCS and HCLTech can help with gap analysis and consultation because of their expertise in managing similar projects.
Also read | Inox Group companies prepare for semiconductor boom, LNG growth prospects in India Queries emailed to HCLTech, TCS, IBM, IMEC, Tower Semiconductors, and KLA did not elicit any response till press time. “It's our policy not to comment on speculation," said Applied Materials in response to Mint's query over email.
In 2023, the company had announced an investment of $400 million to build an engineering centre in Bengaluru. The centre will focus on the development of semiconductor manufacturing equipment technologies.
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