India-based Semicon Fab Technologies has proposed establishing a common semiconductor research and development facility modeled on Taiwan's ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) in Gujarat's Dholera region, aiming to support the country's fledgling chip ecosystem.
"We have submitted our plans to the CEO of the Dholera Industrial City Development Corporation," said Santhosh KM, founder and managing director of Semicon Fab Technologies. "Our idea was to set up a common facility for academia, industry, and startups — like ITRI."
Creating shared infrastructure for India's semiconductor ambitions
The proposed center would offer shared cleanroom space, an incubation hub, pilot line production capabilities, business consulting, joint research programs, and frameworks for intellectual property development.
"Startups can't afford to set up semiconductor-grade cleanrooms independently. A shared facility like this would also attract international players who want to conduct pilot runs in India," Santhosh said.
The company has also called for a centralized training facility within the campus to unify fragmented education efforts across IITs and private institutions. "It could serve as a single entity — like ITRI in Taiwan — to train talent and develop ecosystem capabilities," he added.
Semicon Fab Technologies is pursuing the project not just as a commercial venture but as an ecosystem-building initiative. "We are regularly following up with the authorities. This is about building the ecosystem that supports the semiconductor industry, not just building for clients," he said.
End-to-end semiconductor infra solution
Semicon Fab Technologies provides engineering, procurement, construction, and management (EPCM) services for semiconductor facilities, offering end-to-end infrastructure solutions.
According to Santhosh, the company's scope of work spans from site selection and design to the execution of pre-engineered building (PEB) construction, cleanroom interior, HVAC, electrical, building management systems (BMS), fire safety system, compressed dry air (CDA), vacuum system, deionized (DI) water, exhaust and specialty gases.
"We specialize in building ultra-precision cleanroom environments tailored to global standards for Semiconductor Fabs, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facilities, and research and development centers," Santhosh said. "Our solutions include precise control of temperature, humidity, noise, pressure differentials, air cleanliness, and magnetic fields. We collaborate with international partners who have real-world fabrication experience in Malaysia and Singapore."
Global partnerships to reach international standards
Semicon Fab Technologies has partnered with several international suppliers to meet local demand, particularly in areas such as specialty gases, cleanroom panels, and dehumidifier systems.
A key partner is POPHEN Technologies India, a high-tech enterprise specializing in the design, manufacturing, and service of cleanroom building materials. "POPHEN has patented and globally registered products. Their expertise across markets like the US, Europe, China, and Southeast Asia allows us to offer validated systems in India," Santhosh said.
The company also relies on suppliers from Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan to provide fan filter units (FFU), dehumidifiers, and high-purity gases. "We are integrating global partners to ensure Indian facilities meet international standards," he added.
Supply chain challenges remain
Despite partnerships, local supply chain constraints continue to affect project timelines, particularly in sourcing dehumidifiers, ultra-pure gas, and high-spec cleanroom panels.
"Dehumidifiers are critical for maintaining humidity levels in cleanroom environments, but we face long lead times. Specialty gases and their high-purity fittings are another challenge — many are not manufactured in India and require multiple approvals for import," he said.
For ultra-pure gases, the company still relies on imports. "We also face difficulties in sourcing honeycomb partitions for high-grade cleanrooms. The demand is not yet high enough to justify local manufacturing," he added.
Santhosh said they are actively exploring ways to indigenize components in collaboration with international vendors.
India eyes strategic independence in chip manufacturing
India has committed over US$10 billion in incentives to attract semiconductor investments under its Semiconductor Mission, launched in 2021 to reduce dependence on imports and build end-to-end chip-making capabilities.
With global supply chains shifting and geopolitical tensions driving localization, initiatives like Semicon Fab Technologies' ITRI-style center reflect the growing push to create a self-reliant, innovation-led semiconductor ecosystem in the country.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
