Applied Materials Commits $5 Billion
Applied Materials plans to invest $5 billion in India by 2035 to expand semiconductor R&D, supply-chain capacity and talent development.
US semiconductor equipment maker Applied Materials has committed $5 billion in investment in India over the next decade under its India Vision 2035 initiative, with the company focusing on semiconductor research, supply-chain development and workforce expansion.
A significant part of the investment will be directed towards expanding Applied Materials’ research and development capabilities and laboratory infrastructure in India. The company already operates an R&D laboratory in Bengaluru with cleanroom capabilities for 300-mm wafer processing.
Applied Materials also plans to develop a proposed 140-acre Advanced Semiconductor Research Park in Bengaluru. The facility is expected to bring together cleanroom infrastructure, equipment engineering and collaborative R&D involving customers and suppliers.
The company aims to increase its India-based supply-chain capacity tenfold by 2035 and expand its network to more than 100 production and R&D suppliers. Its plans include gradually moving from component sourcing towards manufacturing complex modules, sub-systems and eventually complete systems in India.
Talent development is another major focus. Applied Materials is working with IITs and other universities on specialised semiconductor coursework and has introduced certification programmes for engineers and technicians. The company also plans to more than double its R&D workforce in India by 2035.
The investment comes as India seeks to build a broader semiconductor ecosystem covering research, manufacturing, equipment and supply chains. Applied Materials said it increasingly sees India as a base that can also support its global operations amid rising semiconductor demand, including demand linked to artificial intelligence.