For an investment of Rs 1.26 trillion, the cabinet has approved three semiconductor plant proposals – two in Gujarat, and one in Assam.
By the time you read this, you would have already seen the names of Tata group companies (Tata Electronics and TSAT), CG Power, PSMC (Taiwan), and Renesas (Japan) splashed across the media.
It is said that global manufacturing companies are keen for an investment in semiconductor manufacturing with proposals worth over Rs 2.5 trillion. So, there could be more announcements in the offing.
While we had capabilities in chip design, India would be opening a new chapter of chip fabrication now.
Just like in the defense sector, the reduced dependence on imports will be a big positive.
As they say, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
The need to break away from China and other geographies for chips was evident as the entire global supply chains were clogged on account of chip shortage post pandemic. The global auto and electronics industry’s growth plans and targets were postponed.
Chips find applications in critical industries like defense, aerospace, drones, and communication networks.
So, having domestic production is a decision that’s better sooner than later for an economy like India that is one of the fastest growing in the world.
For the record, Indian GDP grew 8.4% in the third quarter of FY24, boosted by strong manufacturing sector growth.
But coming back to implications of recent announcements…
To be honest, I do not know yet how the economics for direct players making these investments will work out.
But this could open multiple opportunities in the associated end industries (demand side) and supply side (suppliers to chip manufacturing) for India.
End industries include the likes of EV, telecom, defense, electronics, power electronics, auto, medical devices, communication equipments and so on.
And then there are companies on the supply side. A case in point is Samsung Electronics that has unveiled semiconductor R&D facility in Bangalore close on the heels of yesterday’s announcement.
The first is Ami Organics.
Ami Organics has 55% stake in Baba Chemicals which makes niche semiconductor chemicals. They claim to be the only makers in the country in their product category.
Ami Organics already is a reputed name in the chemical industry. With this acquisition, it has gotten a strong foothold in the semiconductor industry with high entry barriers.
The management expects that it can help Baba Chemicals scale up by five to six times. The margin in the acquired entity is strong at about 40%. Besides, it makes Ami’s position stronger in electronic chemicals industry.
The stock of Ami Organics witnessed insider buying worth Rs 100 m from the open market. The stock was acquired at an average price of Rs 1,163 per share and is trading at Rs 1,115 as I write this.
The second candidate is Chemcon Specialty Chemicals. The company makes a chemical HMDS, predominantly used in pharma industry.
It claims to be the only manufacturer of this chemical in India and third largest worldwide. Besides, it boasts of global and domestic leadership in two other chemicals.
Interestingly, high purity HMDS finds applications in semiconductor industry and electronic chemicals. The company has applied for testing this for semiconductor applications.
This might be a time taking process and still in a speculative zone. But a positive result could give company a breakthrough in the semiconductor industry.
And then there is Praj Industries. Among the multiple sunrise industries, it is targeting to grow in, semiconductor is one.
Under its division Hi Purity System, it provides systems and tech to produce high quality water for clients in pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetics, and wellness sector.
It also finds applications in semiconductor industry.
Another semiconductor ecosystem company is Polymatech Electronics. The company has plans to get listed soon.
Set up in 2007, it was the first semiconductor chips manufacturer in India. To know more of its details, click here.
Do note that no stock included in this article implies a view of the respective companies. But it would be good to have these in your watchlist as India’s semiconductor flight takes off.
Source: https://www.equitymaster.com/
