Renesas Electronics has achieved a significant milestone by taping out 3 nm (nanometer) chips designed in India. These chips, developed by teams in Noida and Bengaluru, are now being sampled, marking a major leap in India's semiconductor capabilities.
Design and Development
The 3 nm chips designed by Renesas India are intended for automotive applications. Malini Narayanamoorthi, India Country Manager and VP of Renesas, stated that sample chips are being provided to partners. However, a commercial launch date has not yet been determined. These design centers in Noida and Bengaluru represent India's first facilities dedicated to developing end-to-end 3 nm chips. This positions India among a select group of countries with such advanced capabilities and marks a significant advancement from previous designs of 7 nm and 5 nm chips.
Strategic Importance for India
The development aligns with India's broader strategy to become a semiconductor powerhouse. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized the importance of this achievement, noting that designing at 3 nm is truly next-generation. He also highlighted that this initiative supports the development of self-reliant solutions and the growth of the semiconductor industry in India. The inauguration of the design centers and the focus on 3 nm technology demonstrate India's commitment to strengthening its semiconductor ecosystem.
Renesas' Commitment to India
Renesas is committed to expanding its end-to-end semiconductor capabilities in India, from architecture to testing. The company aims to support over 250 academic institutions and numerous startups through government-backed initiatives like the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme and the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme. Renesas is also deepening its partnerships with local companies and universities, with a goal to generate over 10% of its global revenue from the Indian market by 2030. The company plans to increase its headcount in India to 1,000 by the end of 2025.
Joint Ventures and Investments
In 2024, Renesas formed a joint venture with the Murugappa group’s CG Power and Thailand’s Stars Microelectronics to establish a semiconductor outsourced assembly and testing (OSAT) unit at Sanand in Gujarat. The venture plans to invest over ₹7,600 crore over the next five years in the Sanand OSAT unit, with a planned capacity of up to 15 million chips packaged per day.
Collaboration and Talent Development
Renesas is collaborating with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to provide 270 Indian colleges and universities with microcontroller-based hardware kits for product development. This collaboration aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative, aiming to bolster local design and manufacturing capabilities. Renesas will also provide PCB design tools and development kits to over 250 academic institutions and 15 early-stage startups under the C2S programme. This will facilitate experiential learning and fast-track product innovation among students and entrepreneurs.
Broader Semiconductor Strategy
The inauguration of the design centers is part of India's broader semiconductor strategy, which includes design, fabrication, ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging), and supply chains for equipment, chemicals, and gases. This comprehensive approach aims to establish India as a key player in the global semiconductor industry.
