ISMC CONSORTIUM MAY SET UP 1ST CHIP FOUNDRY

NEW DELHI: The International Semiconductor Consortium’s (ISMC’S) proposed $3 billion chip fab in Mysuru is likely to start construction as early as February if the central government okays the company’s application for financial incentives.

ISMC is one of the three consortia shortlisted by the Centre to be eligible for the incentives. The three proposals for wafer fabs worth $13.6 billion have sought government support to the tune of $5.6 billion.

“We will probably become the first state in India to have a semiconductor fab. ISMC has the technology and the capability. Subject to the central government’s approval, we hope to see work starting on this plant from February,” Karnataka minister for information technology, electronics, and skills development, Dr. C.N.

Ashwath Narayan, said in an interview. He added that ISMC would make 40-65 nanometre (nm) analog chips to “cater to the defence and automotive sectors, and then to other areas”.