Tata Electronics has significantly advanced its semiconductor manufacturing ambitions in India by announcing four strategic partnerships with leading Japanese and Malaysian companies. These collaborations, unveiled on September 18, are designed to create a robust and resilient supply chain for Tata's major projects in Dholera, Gujarat, and Jagiroad, Assam.
Boosting Materials Supply Chain
The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical, a crucial step towards securing high-purity semiconductor materials for its 12-inch fab in Dholera, Gujarat. This partnership will explore the supply of essential chemicals such as photoresists, functional chemicals, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, ammonia water, and sulfuric acid. A key aspect of this collaboration is the potential for local manufacturing of these critical materials within India.
Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO and MD of Tata Electronics, emphasized that this alliance is vital for strengthening the supply chain for their Dholera facility. Satoshi Honda, Managing Executive Officer at Sumitomo Chemical, highlighted the partnership's role in ensuring a stable global supply of semiconductor materials.
Accelerating Fab Readiness with Malaysian Expertise
To expedite the operational readiness of its Dholera semiconductor fab, Tata Electronics has partnered with Malaysia-based Kelington. This collaboration focuses on delivering critical infrastructure and systems essential for semiconductor manufacturing. Beyond infrastructure, the companies will also explore developing local talent and advanced design-and-build engineering capabilities in India.
Thakur underscored the necessity of extensive technical partnerships in establishing a high-performance fab environment, calling tool hook-up a critical element. Kelington Group CEO Lim Seng Chuan affirmed the partnership's commitment to meeting the stringent requirements of semiconductor manufacturing.
Strengthening Semiconductor Packaging
In a move to enhance India's semiconductor packaging ecosystem, Tata Electronics has signed an MoU with Japanese precision component manufacturer Enomoto. Enomoto will leverage its R&D capabilities and technical expertise to support packaging readiness at Tata Electronics’ facility in Jagiroad, Assam. The partnership also aims to explore the local manufacturing of lead frames, a vital component in semiconductor packaging, along with technology transfer and engineering collaboration.
Dr. Thakur stressed the importance of deep localization across the value chain, from materials to packaging, to build a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem. Enomoto CEO Homare Shirotori expressed enthusiasm for combining their precision manufacturing expertise with Tata Electronics’ advanced OSAT capabilities.
Ensuring Secure Materials Logistics
Finally, Tata Electronics has collaborated with Japan’s Sojitz Corporation and NRS Corporation to establish a robust framework for the supply and storage of critical semiconductor materials for the Dholera fab. This partnership will focus on developing a safe, reliable, and efficient supply chain, particularly for products requiring specialized handling.
Sojitz brings expertise in chemical trading and supply-chain management, while NRS specializes in chemical logistics, including the storage and transportation of semiconductor manufacturing materials. Thakur noted that their combined expertise in hazardous-material handling and advanced warehouse operations would reinforce operational readiness and support a resilient supply chain for global customers.
“Building a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem requires deep localisation across the value chain, from materials and components to manufacturing and packaging,” said Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO and MD of Tata Electronics.