How India's Semiconductor Wafer Fabs Will Transform Global Manufacturing by 2030 and its impact on PCB Manufacturing

The semiconductor industry in India is transforming owing to government initiatives, collaborations and an increasing appetite for electronics. The country aims to build a strong semiconductor ecosystem irrespective of the hurdles that include high capital costs and a shortage of skilled labour. This blog presents the developments, issues, and outlook on the semiconductor industry and its impact on PCB manufacturers in India.

Current Landscape of Semiconductor Production

The semiconductor sector of India is at the edge of a historic change in almost every aspect. This is because of the flourishing electronics sector and the rising production of mobile phones.

1. Growth Projections

The electronics specific to India were evaluated at 101 billion dollars in production output in the year 2022, estimating the gross output to be 300 billion dollars by the year 2026 and 500 billion dollars by the year 2030. The growth is expected to generate more than 6 million jobs, most of which is expected to come from the mobile phone sector, which is projected to grow from 44 billion in 2023 to 110 billion by 2026. [1]

2. Export Performance

During the last one and half years, exports have increased on average three times from March 2018 to April 2023 and are expected to reach almost five times growth from 25 billion dollars in FY 2023 to 120 billion dollars in FY 2026 due to other factors. [1]

Government Initiatives and Policies

The Government of India is making considerable efforts to make the country a global semiconductor hub driven by policies and investments.

1. National Policy on Electronics (NPE)

One of the key components of India’s vision to be the global Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) hub is the National Policy on Electronics (NPE) which was announced in 2019. It lays emphasis on:

• Increasing domestic manufacturing and export capabilities.
• Encouraging the local manufacturing of critical components.
• Promoting advanced technologies, including high-end semiconductor facilities.

2. Funding and Investment

Under the Semicon India program, the government allocated Rs 76,000 crore to enhance the semiconductor ecosystem. These cover subsidies to firms engaged in the different activities of semiconductor manufacturing. [2]

How Semiconductor Advancements are Transforming PCB Design and Fabrication

With rapid semiconductor developments, PCB design and manufacturing are evolving to meet new challenges. Here are some key transformations:

1. Increased Complexity and Miniaturization -

Progress in smaller transistors, multi-chip packages, increased component density, and other parameters lead to more compact designs. Layer stacking and microvias help save space, while in high-speed designs, techniques like differential pair routing and controlled impedance routing preserve the integrity of signals in the semiconductor PCB design.

2. High-Density Interconnects (HDI) –

Smaller, more powerful chips need HDI PCBs with micro-vias and fine-line traces. These compact designs support high component density and improve device performance without increasing size.

3. Enhanced Signal Integrity –

Advanced semiconductors demand multilayer PCBs that reduce interference, ensuring smooth signal transmission for high-speed applications like 5G and IoT.

4. Flexible and Rigid-Flex PCBs –

Flexible and rigid-flex PCBs are crucial for industries requiring compact, adaptable devices, such as aerospace and wearables. Semiconductors power these designs, ensuring durability and seamless operation in tight spaces.

5. Embedded Components –

New packaging technologies enable components to be integrated directly within PCB layers, enhancing space efficiency, signal integrity, and reliability.

6. Faster Prototyping and Manufacturing –

Semiconductor accessibility through local production shortens lead times, enabling quicker prototyping and reducing costs for PCB manufacturers.

Conclusion

India's ambition to become self-sufficient in semiconductors means boosting local production as much as possible and connecting with the global value chains. "Design in India, Design for the World" indicates the intention to make products that are not only focused on the domestic market but also available abroad.

When it comes to PCBs, PCB Power is one of the best PCB manufacturers in India. PCB Power provides seamless ordering of PCBs online. PCB Power contributes to these developments by providing manufacturing facilities and extensive PCB services in India. Facilitating online ordering of PCB boards without a hassle and regarded as one of the best PCB board manufacturers in the nation, as recently awarded by GESIA, PCB Power is poised to offer quality products and reliable services in response to changing technology.