Taiwan-based pure-play foundry PSMC is building a 12-inch wafer fab for Tata Electronics in India, and Lam Research, eyeing growing Indian opportunities, plans to set up an office at the fab.
In an interview with the Economic Times, Rangesh Raghavan, corporate VP of Lam Research India, highlighted the company's global engineering centers in the US, Austria, and India. He stressed that these centers are positioned close to customers, ensuring immediate access when needed. If Tata establishes a fab in Dholera, Lam Research plans to establish an office there for direct support rather than relying on their Bengaluru location.
Raghavan discussed collaboration with PSMC, noting the presence of Lam's equipment and their close working relationship. Once the Tata fab is operational, teams from Lam, PSMC, and Tata are expected to work closely together. He mentioned the high cost of wafer runs, noting each could cost around US$10,000, while simulating conditions via the Semiverse could significantly reduce expenses, a benefit he believes Tata would appreciate.
Raghavan also emphasized Lam Research's long presence in India, with 80% of revenues coming from Asia. He noted the Indian center's proficiency in serving customers, stating that Indian teams influence every Lam product and that the Indian office is the largest outside the US.
In early November, Tata Electronics transferred the first payment to PSMC as part of their fab IP contract. Tata is also sending engineering teams to Mumbai and Dholera, Gujarat, to coordinate with Tata Group's semiconductor team on designing India's first 12-inch wafer fab and to inspect the construction site. Tata Group aims to complete the fab and start mass production by 2026.
To meet this timeline, PSMC has sent professional teams to Dholera for on-site guidance and established training areas at its new Tongluo facility in Taiwan to train Tata Electronics employees, facilitating quicker technology transfers and preparations for the wafer fab.
In March, Lam Research revealed plans to work with Indian suppliers to source precision components and systems for semiconductor fabrication equipment to enhance its supply chain and bolster India's semiconductor ecosystem. Subsequently, in April, Lam Research signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the India Semiconductor Mission and the Indian Institute of Science to promote the adoption of Semiverse Solutions.
This initiative, supported by infrastructure and operational funding from the India Semiconductor Mission, also includes Lam Research's commitment to providing INR2.4 billion (approx. US$29 million) of software licenses over two years.
