Micron Technology, a U.S.-based chipmaker, has initiated the construction of its $2.75 billion assembly, testing, and packaging plant (ATMP) in Sanand, Gujarat. The groundbreaking event took place at the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation’s (GIDC) industrial estate in Sanand, where Micron has been allotted 93 acres of land for the project. This project is the largest investment under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and is a significant milestone for the Indian semiconductor industry.
The groundbreaking event occurred in a record-breaking timeframe of less than three months after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The event is a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States in June, upon the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized that India has swiftly moved from the old narrative of questioning investments in semiconductor manufacturing to becoming an attractive destination for such investments. The Micron project signifies India’s advancement in the global semiconductor ecosystem within just 15 months.
Tata Projects has collaborated with Micron Technology for the construction of an advanced semiconductor assembly and test plant in Sanand. The project involves comprehensive training, knowledge transfer, and local assembly of optical sub-metre resolution Earth Observation (EO) satellites, with the first satellite planned to be launched as TSAT-1A. The construction of Phase 1 will include a 500,000 square feet clean room space, scheduled to be operational by late 2024.
Vinayak Pai, MD & CEO of Tata Projects, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating that it exemplifies Tata Projects’ commitment to advancing technology, promoting sustainable development, and contributing significantly to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The collaboration aims to lay the foundation for India’s technological prowess on the global stage.
Micron’s semiconductor manufacturing facility in Sanand is expected to create 5,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs. The Gujarat government handed over the Offer Cum Allotment (OCA) letter to Micron for the allotment of 93 acres of area at Sanand GIDC Estate. The plant will focus on transforming wafers into ball grid array (BGA) integrated circuit packages, memory modules, and solid-state drives.
Micron’s investment is aligned with PM Modi’s Semicon India Program, which aims to create an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in the global semiconductor supply chain manufacturing. The Gujarat government introduced the “Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-2027” to attract investments in the chip manufacturing sector.
The semiconductor industry plays a crucial role in various sectors, from automobiles to mobile phones, railways to defense. With the semiconductor industry projected to reach 1 trillion dollars by 2030, India is rapidly emerging as a major hub for electronics manufacturing. Micron’s investment is part of a larger trend, with other semiconductor companies like Applied Materials and Lam Research also expressing plans to invest in India.
In summary, Micron’s groundbreaking ceremony in Gujarat marks a significant milestone for India’s semiconductor industry, reflecting the country’s growing importance in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
