Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Micron Technology’s advanced semiconductor facility in Sanand, Gujarat, on Saturday. The facility boasts one of the world’s largest cleanrooms for chip manufacturing, marking a significant advancement in India’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
The Phase-1 cleanroom at the Sanand plant covers an impressive five lakh square feet. Sanjay Mehrotra, the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive of Micron Technology, highlighted the scale of the cleanroom, stating that it required three and a half times the steel used in the Eiffel Tower and concrete equivalent to that in 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Cleanrooms are crucial for semiconductor manufacturing due to the necessity for precision. Even a tiny airborne particle or a slight temperature fluctuation can disrupt operations. The Micron team emphasized that a cleanroom is maintained even cleaner than an operation theatre, as even a single strand of hair can damage a chip, underscoring the critical need for utmost cleanliness.
To ensure the required cleanliness levels, filtered air flows vertically from the ceiling to the floor in a uniform and symmetrical manner. The raised floor design allows for air circulation beneath it while supporting uninterrupted cooling, power supply, and data operations. Additionally, precise control over temperature and humidity is crucial, as even a one-degree Celsius variation can impact the functioning of memory tester machines, which generate significant heat during operations.
Comprehensive backup systems for power, cooling, and air circulation have been put in place to ensure seamless operations in case of any primary system failure. Mehrotra expressed gratitude for the support provided by the government, acknowledging the strong backing and favorable policies introduced under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. The Sanand project, in collaboration with both the Central and Gujarat Governments, has become a flagship initiative for Micron Technology.
The Sanand plant, designed in India to meet Micron’s global standards, reinforces the country’s position in the semiconductor sector. Micron has been active in India since 2019, with research and development centers in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, employing approximately 24,000 individuals. India-based teams have significantly contributed to global innovation, including the design of advanced DRAM memory products in partnership with teams in the United States.
