Fujifilm will invest approximately Rs. 800 crore ($83 million) to establish a semiconductor materials manufacturing plant in Gujarat’s Dholera Special Investment Region, as part of a strategic partnership with Tata Electronics to build India’s domestic semiconductor materials ecosystem.
The Japanese technology major and Tata Electronics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and supply advanced semiconductor materials for Tata Electronics’ upcoming semiconductor fabrication facility in Dholera.
The partnership aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported semiconductor materials by localising the development and manufacture of critical high-purity chemicals used in chip fabrication.
Under the agreement, Fujifilm will work with Indian chemical manufacturers, providing technology, quality assurance and manufacturing process know-how to help build domestic capabilities for producing high-purity semiconductor chemicals.
Fujifilm’s planned investment in Dholera will be rolled out in phases, with the facility designed to ensure a reliable supply and movement of semiconductor materials for Tata Electronics’ fab.
Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics, said, "Tata Electronics is committed to building a resilient, world-class semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India. Our strategic partnership with Fujifilm marks an important step in strengthening the semiconductor materials supply chain for our Dholera Fab.
"By combining Fujifilm's expertise in advanced semiconductor materials with Tata Electronics' vision of creating a robust manufacturing base, we are enhancing supply chain resilience for our global customers, accelerating ecosystem development, and supporting India's ambition to become a trusted global hub for semiconductor manufacturing. This will go a long way in building the foundation for a secure semiconductor value chain serving customers in India and around the world."
Teiichi Goto, President, Representative Director & Chief Executive Officer, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Japan, said, “Fujifilm positions its semiconductor materials business as a key growth driver for Fujifilm Group and recognizes India’s rapidly expanding semiconductor market as a critical opportunity for further business expansion.
"We are confident that the partnership between Tata Electronics, a leader in shaping the semiconductor ecosystem in India, and Fujifilm, with its comprehensive range of semiconductor materials spanning the semiconductor manufacturing process from front-end to back-end, will play a pivotal role in advancing the country's semiconductor industry.”
Tetsuya Iwasaki, Director, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Electronic Materials Business Division, FUJIFILM Corporation, added, “We are honored to support India’s vision of strengthening its advanced manufacturing and technology capabilities through this partnership. Fujifilm offers a wide range of materials used throughout the entire semiconductor manufacturing process, from front-end to back-end.
"These materials include photoresists, photolithography-related materials, CMP slurries, post-CMP cleaners, thin-film materials, photosensitive insulating materials such as polyimides under the ZEMATES brand, and high-purity process chemicals. Fujifilm also provides Wave Control Mosaic™, a group of functional materials including color filter materials for image sensors. I am sure this partnership will help us develop a good semiconductor materials ecosystem in India.”
Tata Electronics is developing its Dholera semiconductor fab with a total investment of Rs. 91,000 crore (approximately $11 billion). The 300 mm (12-inch) facility is planned to manufacture chips across 28nm to 110nm technology nodes, targeting applications including automobiles, consumer electronics, computing and data storage, wireless communications and artificial intelligence.
The company said construction of the facility is progressing rapidly, with partnerships such as the Fujifilm agreement expected to support the development of the wider semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem around the fab.
For Fujifilm, the Dholera investment expands its semiconductor materials footprint in India. The company supplies materials across the semiconductor manufacturing chain, from front-end to back-end processes, including photoresists, CMP slurries, post-CMP cleaners, thin-film materials, photosensitive insulating materials and high-purity process chemicals.
The company also operates manufacturing bases across Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia and says its global supply network and research and development capabilities will support its semiconductor materials business in India.
The partnership comes as India seeks to build greater domestic capacity across the semiconductor value chain, including chip fabrication, assembly, testing and the supply of specialised materials and chemicals.
