Applied Materials expands collaboration with Indian semiconductor firms

US -based chip equipment supplier Applied Materials will collaborate with semiconductor supplier organisations to reduce the time to commercialisation in India, said a senior executive.
“Applied Materials will collaborate with semiconductor supplier organisations with the intent to reduce the time to commercialisation and develop a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem in India,” Suraj Rengarajan, managing director, Applied Materials India, told ET.

The company last year announced that it will set up an engineering centre in Bengaluru with a total investment of $400 million (about Rs 3,278 crores) over four years to develop and commercialise technologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.


The engineering centre will bring together engineers, domestic and overseas suppliers, and research and academic institutions to accelerate the development of semiconductor equipment sub-systems and components, he said.

It will provide access to advanced equipment and processes for suppliers to test and validate, while also giving opportunities to develop equipment.

“We estimate that in its first five years of operation, the centre can create at least 500 new advanced engineering jobs along with 2,500 jobs in the manufacturing ecosystem,” Rengarajan said.

The team in India supports various business units and helps the parent company in design, product development, IT, advanced analytics, software, factory automation and computer-aided engineering.

The company also has an exploration centre in IIT Bombay campus where its research and development technologists work on materials and chemistry solutions to address complex materials engineering challenges.

It is also exploring engagement with IISc in photonics and quantum materials. Through this collaboration, it aims to connect students to highly trained tech professionals and help them become industry-ready, Rengarajan said.

To improve efficiency and generate insights, the company has incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) into some of its process equipment, such as defect inspection and review tools, and in its service offerings in tool calibration and process optimisation.

AI is also used in manufacturing, operations and logistics to enhance tracking and reliability and to optimise warehouse operations. Functions such as human resources and finance also utilise AI to extract valuable insights from organisational data, Rengarajan said.