The Hindu Business Line : Applied Materials bullish on semiconductor projects

Hyderabad, Sept. 4 Nanotechnology company and equipment supplier for semiconductor fabs, Applied Materials, is upbeat on the potential role it can play in this emerging sector in India.

With semiconductor investments just beginning to come in India, Applied Materials is actively engaged in parleys with Sem India and Hindustan Semiconductor, and sees itself playing a similar role in solar energy sector, which it has taken up as a third division.

The Product Marketing Manager of the $9.17-billion Applied Materials, Mr Noam Hillel, who is based in Israel, told Business Line that they are awaiting green signal for some of the semiconductor projects in India where they can provide their technology and expertise.

On a visit to India along with an Israeli delegation, Mr Hillel said: “We are now in talks with Sem India near Hyderabad evaluating their plans including the technology they are working on, and later will meet the officials of Hindustan Semiconductor in Bangalore (both companies are in the process of setting up semiconductor units),” he said.

The global semiconductor industry passes through highs and lows and has now plateaued. This is often followed by cycles of higher consumption. The current growth is largely driven by storage products for various digital gadgets all in need of additional memory, Mr Hillel said.

The company’s Silicon Solutions Group, by far its largest revenue generator, provides wafer facilities with equipment. Its clients include Intel, Samsung, Hynix, and Toshiba. Lately, the company has entered the Energy Environmental Solutions providing turnkey solutions for manufacturers in the solar energy space. “We are looking at partnering companies in this area in India,” he said.