Tata Electronics and Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore supplying and locally manufacturing semiconductor materials in India, strengthening the materials pipeline for Tata Electronics’ upcoming chip fabrication plant in Dholera, Gujarat.
The agreement comes as Tata Electronics builds India’s first commercial 12-inch (300 mm) semiconductor fab. The partnership will cover materials including photoresists, functional chemicals and high-purity chemicals used in chip manufacturing.
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Sumitomo to Explore Materials Supply for Dholera Fab
Under the MoU, Sumitomo Chemical will explore supplying Tata Electronics’ Dholera fab with several materials required for semiconductor production. These include hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, ammonia water, and sulfuric acid, along with photoresists and other functional chemicals.
The companies will also explore manufacturing semiconductor materials and high-purity chemicals in India. Sumitomo said it will examine measures to establish a stable supply system, including the possibility of setting up a semiconductor chemicals facility in the country.
“The partnership would support the supply of high-quality materials for the Dholera fab. He also pointed to deeper India-Japan cooperation in semiconductors, including supply chains, research, skills and private-sector partnerships,” said Dr Randhir Thakur, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Electronics.
Sumitomo Chemical Managing Executive Officer Satoshi Honda said reliable semiconductor manufacturing requires a continuous supply of high-performance materials backed by strict quality controls.
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$11 Billion Dholera Fab Builds Out Local Ecosystem
Tata Electronics is investing US$11 billion in the Dholera facility, which will manufacture chips for automotive, mobile devices and Artificial Intelligence applications for customers worldwide.
The company has also partnered with Taiwan’s PSMC to access semiconductor technologies spanning 28nm to 110nm nodes. Tata Electronics said fab construction is progressing rapidly.
The Sumitomo partnership adds another layer to that ecosystem by focusing on materials alongside equipment, manufacturing and process and design technologies.
The MoU remains an exploration agreement, but it puts semiconductor materials closer to the centre of India’s chip manufacturing build-out. The next key development will be whether the proposed supply and local manufacturing plans translate into operational facilities and commercial arrangements.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
