Applied Materials boosts India’s semiconductor sector with $400 million Bengaluru investment

Applied Materials is set to accelerate India’s semiconductor ambitions with a multi-phased investment in Bengaluru. The company is establishing a cutting-edge engineering center focused on developing and commercializing next-generation semiconductor manufacturing technologies. The initiative involves a $400 million investment over four years and is expected to catalyze over $2 billion in related investments within the first five years.

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The new facility, known as the Innovation Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing (ICSM), will span 10 acres and involve a total outlay of approximately ₹4,851 crore (around $580 million), including broader infrastructure and capability enhancements. The ICSM aims to create over 1,500 direct jobs, with 500 dedicated to advanced engineering roles. An estimated 2,500 additional positions are projected to emerge across the supply and manufacturing ecosystem.

Applied’s center will serve as a collaborative hub, integrating its own engineers with global and Indian suppliers, research institutions, and academia to drive semiconductor innovation. This move aligns with Karnataka’s strategic vision to become a global semiconductor hub and reinforce India’s position in the international supply chain.

Complementing this effort is a newly launched $20 million validation facility, also in Bengaluru, equipped for 300-mm wafer processing—a first for private industry in India. This center will support workforce training and technical validation efforts critical for the ICSM.

Together, these initiatives mark a significant stride in building India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and innovation infrastructure.