Mohali fab unit’s modernizing mannequin to be determined by yr-end

Mohali: The authorities will take a name by the 12 months finish on whether or not Mohali-based Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) might be developed additional as a analysis and improvement facility or a industrial fab might be arrange on the facility, based on a senior official. “The request for proposals for modernizing SCL has been issued solely final week, however the authorities needs to maneuver swiftly. Within 1 / 4, a name might be taken on which course it would go, both R&D fab or a industrial fab,” the official mentioned, asking to not be named.

The ministry of electronics and data expertise that issued a preliminary info memorandum in search of expressions of curiosity (EoI) from world and Indian gamers for modernizing SCL, is anticipating responses newest by 21 October. “The future plan of action additionally depends upon the curiosity from personal gamers to the modernization proposal,” the official added.

As per the EoI, the federal government is exploring two choices. One, remodeling SCL into an R&D-led centre of excellence with semicon R&D capabilities encompassing superior nodes, superior packaging, compound semiconductors, design and EDA instruments, supplies and different R&D areas. Within this, a brand new R&D-cum-prototyping line for 300 mm wafer processing on superior nodes – of 28nm or beneath – could be arrange, with a roadmap on progressing from 28nm to 14nm and beneath nodes over time. This R&D fab might even have superior packaging capabilities. For this selection, the federal government could present 100% capital expenditure assist.

Two, changing it into an at-scale manufacturing entity with quantity manufacturing of semiconductor units or chips. This new industrial unit might do both silicon semiconductor chip fabrication, compound semiconductor chip fabrication or meeting, testing and packaging. Within this, the federal government has supplied two choices. One, a multi-entity three way partnership mannequin, the place authorities can prolong capital assist of fifty% of the general challenge price and take majority fairness stake. The personal participant may have full operational autonomy. Two, a construct, function and keep mannequin the place authorities will present 100% capital infusion however retain 100% possession.

The personal participant will construct, function and keep the resultant entity on a set revenue and or, a profit-sharing foundation, for a minimal interval of 15 years.

A mix of the 2 is also explored.

Set up in 1984, the nation’s solely facility which produces, packages and sells its personal semiconductor chips or built-in circuits, had been destroyed by hearth in 1989 and restarted manufacturing in 1997, lacking the bus for changing into a serious provider to native or world wants. Under the federal government’s newfound concentrate on making India self-reliant in addition to a semiconductor manufacturing hub for the long run, SCL is getting a ₹10,000 crore makeover, that was permitted by the Union Cabinet in 2022.

The autonomous physique which was introduced below MEITY final 12 months from the division of house which had the executive management of SCL since 2006, presently operates two wafer fabrication strains with a mixed capability of approximate 750 wafer begins monthly (WSPM). It undertakes design, fabrication, meeting and packaging, testing and high quality assurance of two forms of silicon units for varied purposes. SCL additionally has a compound semiconductor analysis facility.

SCL’s chips have been utilized in India’s Mars Orbiter Mission and extra lately within the Vikram lander of the Chandrayaan-3 mission which landed on moon final month.

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Updated: 01 Oct 2023, 10:46 PM IST