US-based Micron begins construction of $2.75 Bn semiconductor plant in Gujarat

Micron Technology, a US firm, has started the construction of its $2.75 billion semiconductor testing and assembly plant in Gujarat's Sanand today, September 23.

The construction of the semiconductor plant has begun on 500,000 square feet of planned cleanroom space and it is expected to become operational in late 2024. (Bloomberg)

The US-based Micron Technology, a computer memory manufacturer, has broken ground in Gujarat's Sanand to build a $2.75 billion semiconductor testing and assembly plant. The plant will be spread across an area of 500,000 square feet of land. The information about the construction was shared by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The construction work began just three months after the company announced its intention to open a plant in India. This has also become the largest investment under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) as Micron is contributing $825 million. The rest of the amount is being covered through subsidies, as per reports.

With the construction starting, the plant is expected to become operational by late 2024. Interestingly, Micron is the first company that was approved under India's semiconductor mission. The deal was signed during PM Narendra Modi's US visit in July. As per a report by Manufacturing Today, Micron is also considering setting up three to four chip fabrication factories in India. The ISM is a $10 billion initiative aimed at kickstarting India's semiconductor industry by offering subsidies to companies for starting a manufacturing ecosystem in India. Micron is the first, and more are expected to invest in India soon.

"So this is an important piece of the whole semiconductor ecosystem that is being built out and this facility will certainly represent a very important part of that semiconductor vision that the Prime Minister laid out in December 2021," The New Indian Express quoted Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar as saying.

Micron begins constructing semiconductor facility

After the deal was signed, Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw posted on X, “Historic day for India… Thanks to PM @narendramodi Ji's comprehensive semiconductor mission. MoU signed between Micron and Govt of Gujarat”.

Micron's additional facilities will be responsible for the procurement and packaging of chips on behalf of clients at the manufacturing plant. Moreover, external companies have the option to submit their chips for testing prior to shipment. The company will undertake the assembly and rigorous testing of manufacturing processes for both DRAM and NAND products, catering to demand from both domestic and international markets.

As per Micron, the project can create up to 5,000 direct new jobs within the company and 15,000 additional community jobs over the next several years.