Monday, February 21st 2022

Intel Considering Semiconductor Fab in India

Back in December, we reported that Tower Semiconductor was one of several semiconductor manufacturers that was considering building a fab in India, largely due to government subsidies. Since then, Intel has stepped in and bought Tower Semiconductor and has taken over the negotiations with the Indian government. What has also come to light is that Tower Semiconductor has been in discussions with the Indian government for over a decade, but apparently the two parties have been unable to come up with a suitable agreement. Tower Semiconductor was apparently ready to cancel any plans on building in India as late as September 2021, but the more recent government initiative renewed their interest.

As to exactly what kind of fab Intel would build, is unclear at this point in time, but it might still be a MEMS fab or it could simply be a testing and packaging plant. Regardless of what kind of facility it'll be, it's interesting that Intel decided to keep the ongoing plans from Tower Semiconductor going. Tower Semiconductor mostly manufactured for fabless companies and were producing some two million wafers a year. It's likely that Intel will carry on producing for the same companies at the same terms for now, although as Tower Semiconductor gets integrated closer with the Intel foundry, things could change.
Sources: Business Standard, via @dnystedt
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16 Comments on Intel Considering Semiconductor Fab in India

#2
Steevo
Intel is considering groovy flying saucers that have peaceful life forms that will teach them how to make the best thing that brings them prosperity for eternity.

Intel is smoking pot and spinning the PR machine while high.
Posted on Reply
#3
Vayra86
SteevoIntel is considering groovy flying saucers that have peaceful life forms that will teach them how to make the best thing that brings them prosperity for eternity.

Intel is smoking pot and spinning the PR machine while high.
I thought this India plan was old news. But it seems to go somewhere. Apparently...

Pat's adopting the flak cannon method. Just toss the projectile you might hit something along the way.
Posted on Reply
#4
Bomby569
India will be the new China in a couple of years. I don't know why that kind of reactions, seems smart.
Posted on Reply
#5
sepheronx
Bomby569India will be the new China in a couple of years. I don't know why that kind of reactions, seems smart.
I've got actual dealings in India and experience in logistics.... India has a long way to go in infrastructure before it can become "the next china". Let alone, politics is an issue too.
Posted on Reply
#6
zlobby
Hmm, will they have a dedicated... fab street?
Posted on Reply
#7
Tom Sunday
Bomby569India will be the new China in a couple of years. I don't know why that kind of reactions, seems smart.
Well…some of the new FAB expansions have a lot to do with the political safety and stability of its country. Safe Harbors are preferred and as many investors or stockholders call it! China and with Taiwan in their breakwaters and then China foremost being a pure dictatorship has for some time now been viewed with grave future and continued issues at hand. South Korea with it being in the Asia ‘hotbed’ country neighborhood as well (South China Sea disputes) is also now impacted and viewed with caution. Besides what will play itself out with the little man from North Korea and friend of its big brother China right next door?

You are correct...the new frontiers for cheap overseas labor including safer supply networks and shipping lanes is India nearing a total population of 1.5 billion people and Indonesia with its 280-million population. We are living in interesting times.
Posted on Reply
#8
95Viper
Get on topic.
Stop the insults.
Stop the side BS posts.

Thank You.
Posted on Reply
#9
svan71
It's nice when we subsidize Intel to build fabs anywhere but here.
Posted on Reply
#10
Chaitanya
svan71It's nice when we subsidize Intel to build fabs anywhere but here.
In case of India, its Indian govt providing incentives to build fabs. Intel(even AMD and nVidia) already has a decent presence here in India mostly related to R&D department so it would make sense for them expand their operations.

Some news outlets here have been reporting that it might be Gujarat who might be getting the Intel fab given that state has good infrastructure and unlike East coast of India ports aren't susceptible to annual cyclone season.
www.livemint.com/news/india/it-ministry-releases-five-year-roadmap-for-electronics-sector-in-india-5-points-11643076697247.html
www.businesstoday.in/latest/deals/story/govt-receives-5-proposals-in-first-round-for-setting-semiconductor-and-display-fabs-in-india-323221-2022-02-19
Posted on Reply
#11
TheGuruStud
It worked well for Ford. What could go wrong :roll:
Posted on Reply
#12
Chaitanya
TheGuruStudIt worked well for Ford. What could go wrong :roll:
And Ford barely had 1.6% market share(best they managed was 2%) here in India.
Posted on Reply
#13
Bomby569
sepheronxI've got actual dealings in India and experience in logistics.... India has a long way to go in infrastructure before it can become "the next china". Let alone, politics is an issue too.
When China started to transition it wasn't much better then India is now, in fact India is in a more favorable state then China was when it started.
Posted on Reply
#14
Renald
Bomby569When China started to transition it wasn't much better then India is now, in fact India is in a more favorable state then China was when it started.
But now is not 50 years ago.
China, Thailand, Indonesia, they all became a big adversary. India is still learning while China learned a long time ago.

They also have cultural differences with China that don't get along with industrial precision. India will not grow like China did, and is starting from far away.
And facing corruption at all levels with industries is more than a challenge. Because a corrupted democracy is worse than an dictatorship for companies. At least they know where to sit.

The list is long of factors of why India will never be China.
Posted on Reply
#15
Bomby569
RenaldBut now is not 50 years ago.
China, Thailand, Indonesia, they all became a big adversary. India is still learning while China learned a long time ago.

They also have cultural differences with China that don't get along with industrial precision. India will not grow like China did, and is starting from far away.
And facing corruption at all levels with industries is more than a challenge. Because a corrupted democracy is worse than an dictatorship for companies. At least they know where to sit.

The list is long of factors of why India will never be China.
That cultural differences that don't get along with industrial precision seems a bit xenophobic/racism to be kind to your statement, and also a bit laughable, when was China knowned for their industrial precision? Not even today let alone in the 90's when the revolution started.

Also corruption in China is just as common as chinese people, what are you even taking about.
Posted on Reply
#16
ThrashZone
svan71It's nice when we subsidize Intel to build fabs anywhere but here.
Hi,
You show no region so where is "here" lol
Posted on Reply
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