Tata Electronics, poised to establish India’s maiden semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat’s Dholera, has inked a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based Synopsys. This collaboration aims to expedite production capabilities at the upcoming semiconductor fab unit by leveraging Synopsys’ expertise in electronic design automation and silicon IP services.
Synopsys, a prominent player in the semiconductor industry, specializes in providing critical services such as silicon IP, electronic design automation, and system verification and validation. The partnership with Tata Electronics will focus on developing a comprehensive foundry design platform to accelerate chip development processes at the AI-enabled semiconductor fab in Dholera. This includes deploying advanced technologies such as factory automation, data analytics, TCAD (Technology Computer Aided Design) flow set-up, process design kits, and IP development.
Randhir Thakur, CEO and managing director of Tata Electronics, expressed confidence in the collaboration with Synopsys, emphasizing their role as a pivotal partner in advancing Tata Electronics’ semiconductor ambitions. The partnership underscores Tata Electronics’ commitment to establishing a robust semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India.
Earlier this year, the Union Cabinet greenlit Tata Group’s ambitious plan to set up the semiconductor fab in Dholera in collaboration with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC). The project, backed by an investment of INR 91,000 crore, aims to produce 50,000 wafers per month to cater to diverse sectors including high-power computing, electric vehicles (EV), telecommunications, defense, consumer electronics, automobiles, and power electronics.
Tata Electronics has already initiated semiconductor chip exports from its pilot line at the Bengaluru R&D center to partners in Japan, the US, and European countries. The company is nearing completion of the semiconductor chip design process across various sizes, ranging from 28nm to 65nm.
In a statement, Tata Electronics highlighted that the collaboration with Synopsys marks a significant milestone towards achieving their goal of pioneering semiconductor manufacturing in India. The company is also concurrently developing another fab plant in Assam’s Jagiroad with an investment of INR 27,000 crore.
The move by Tata Electronics into the semiconductor space is strategically aligned with the burgeoning market opportunity in India, projected to exceed $150 billion. According to a report by Inc42 titled “The Rise Of India’s Semiconductor Startups Report 2024,” the Indian semiconductor market is anticipated to grow at a robust CAGR of 24% from 2023 to 2030.
Other industry players, including SaaS giant Zoho and US-based Micron Technology, have also announced plans to establish semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, respectively. These initiatives are bolstered by government initiatives such as the Semicon India programme, which allocates INR 76,000 crore to bolster the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.
As Tata Electronics continues to forge ahead with its semiconductor ambitions, collaborations with global leaders like Synopsys are poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating India’s journey towards self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing.
