With its current focus on assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) of semiconductors, CDIL Semiconductors is keeping its options open to restart a wafer fabrication facility provided it gets the right opportunity. Established in 1964, India's oldest semiconductor facility, CDIL used to operate a wafer fab plant in Delhi for over 35 years before transitioning to a fabless model 15 years ago.

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Speaking to CNBC-TV18 at the inauguration of a surface mount semiconductor packaging line at CDIL Semiconductors' Mohali-based plant, Joint Secretary with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Amitesh Kumar Sinha, shared that the company is gearing up for expansion to enhance its market presence in sectors such as automotive, solar energy, and inverters. The government's Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) is contributing to this project, with the first phase already completed and the next two phases expected to be finished in the next 12 to 18 months.

Sinha expressed excitement about India's semiconductor journey, particularly after Micron's entry, and stated that CDIL's expansion further instilled confidence in the program. He mentioned that Semicon India is already receiving applications from various players, which cannot be revealed at this time due to confidentiality reasons. The government is actively evaluating proposals related to fabrication, packaging, and compound semiconductors.

Citing recent announcements involving companies like AMD, Applied Materials, LAM Research, and microchips, Sinha pointed out that India has signed agreements with the United States and Japan, with more agreements in progress. He described these developments as clear signals of India poised to become a trusted and reliable player in global value chains, emphasising that electronics manufacturing and semiconductors will soon be a big buzz in India.

Inderdeep Singh, Managing Director of CDIL Semiconductors, underscored the fundamental role of semiconductors in a wide spectrum of industries.

He referred to the semiconductor business as a global industry where nations are interdependent, and no single country manufactures everything on its own. Singh highlighted the support being provided by many countries to make the semiconductor sector more self-reliant.

Highlighting that the pandemic brought in more awareness about the sector's strategic importance, he also praised the Indian government's policy initiatives to support the industry and called for continued support over the next 5 to 10 years to establish a robust foundation for the semiconductor industry.

(Edited by : Anushka Sharma)

First Published:Sept 29, 2023 8:53 PM IST