The government-owned chip research and manufacturing facility Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali has shortlisted Tata Semiconductor and Tower Semiconductor from Israel for the first part of a ₹4,000-crore revamp project.
The project, which aims to enhance the existing 8-inch fab of SCL, was announced as part of the ₹76,000-crore India Semiconductor Mission. The tender for the same opened on February 19 and is set to close on August 9 this year.
Mint was first to report on the selection of Tata Semiconductor and Tower Semiconductor for Bid Package 1 of the three-part project. Citing government officials, it’s claimed that at least 12 companies submitted bids for the tender.
The two contenders will now go to the financial bid round, where the final winner will be chosen. In the first stage, which was the technical evaluation stage, companies' capabilities and expertise were assessed against project requirements.
The project involves identifying necessary upgrades to enhance the existing 180-nanometer (nm) fabrication line at SCL. The chosen firm will be tasked with planning the integration of advanced equipment to expand production capacity and replace outdated machinery that often requires repairs. In addition to planning upgrades, the selected company will define specifications for the future installation, testing, commissioning, and supply of equipment. According to the tender document, long-term maintenance support will also be a critical part of the contract.
The Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, is India’s only Integrated Device Manufacturing facility. Since 1983, it has been designing and producing VLSI chips, ASICs, optoelectronics, and MEMS devices.
SCL operates an 8-inch wafer fab using 180-nanometer CMOS technology, mainly for space, defence, and medical applications. Though older, this tech remains vital for specialised chips. Tower Semiconductor is SCL’s technology partner, supporting operations and maintenance of the fabrication line on-site.
What the Revamp Project Aims to Do
The tender documents show that Bid Package 1 focuses on upgrading the existing 8-inch wafer fabrication line at SCL. It includes a gap analysis and detailed study of the cleanroom and utilities, engineering modifications, and the commissioning of new (35 units), upgraded (22 units), and relocated equipment. It also involves decommissioning 25 existing 6-inch tools and providing a Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC) for five years, extendable by three years.
Bid Package 2 covers the supply and integration of three critical technology IPs into the existing 8-inch process as part of a technology transfer. The technologies include RF-CMOS, BCD (HV LDMOS), and CMOS Image Sensors (CIS), aimed at enhancing the capabilities of SCL’s fabrication line.
Bid Package 3 involves the supply and implementation of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), along with automation of equipment to streamline production processes.
Last year, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the government would invest ₹10,000 crore to revamp the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali.
