Canon plans to bring lithography technology and dedicated service centres to India as semiconductor manufacturing projects move forward, marking a potential expansion of the equipment and technical-support infrastructure needed for the country’s chip ambitions.
Toshiaki Nomura, President and CEO of Canon India, said the Japanese imaging and optical technology company had discussed its technology with key semiconductor manufacturers whose projects are under development in India. Canon supplies lithography systems used in semiconductor manufacturing.
“India has been actively promoting semiconductor manufacturing through incentive schemes and has approved multiple projects across semiconductor fabrication, assembly, testing, marking and packaging,” Nomura told PTI. “We bring our technologies to help assist the chip manufacturer to produce chips in India. So that’s a great opportunity for us.”
The company’s proposed role would extend beyond supplying equipment. Nomura said Canon could establish dedicated service centres in India once customer projects are confirmed. Semiconductor manufacturing equipment requires continuous technical support, and he said Canon would need to provide 24×7 assistance to chip manufacturers operating the systems.
“Once the project is confirmed, of course we need 24×7 support to the chip manufacturer. In that sense, we will bring our technologies and service centres in India. That’s our plan,” he said.
Canon has already engaged with major semiconductor projects in the country, but Nomura did not identify specific companies or provide a timeline for individual agreements. He said details would be shared when developments were confirmed. The company’s involvement therefore remains at the discussion and planning stage rather than representing a confirmed equipment contract or operational facility.
The planned support infrastructure comes as India attempts to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem through government-backed incentives and approved investments. Nearly 12 projects have been approved under the India Semiconductor Mission, covering chip fabrication as well as assembly, testing, marking and packaging.
Among the projects identified in the report are Tata Electronics’ semiconductor fabrication plant in Dholera, Gujarat; Micron’s assembly and packaging facility in Sanand; projects involving CG Power-Renesas and Kaynes Semicon in Gujarat; and Tata Electronics’ semiconductor packaging unit in Assam. These facilities are being developed across different parts of the manufacturing chain, creating demand not only for factories but also for specialised machinery, maintenance and technical expertise.
Nomura said Canon was confident in India’s ability to develop the required ecosystem, although he noted that project timelines were the responsibility of individual chip manufacturers. “Governments and related parties are working very hard to build up this ecosystem. In the near future, this ecosystem will be available,” he said.
Canon has been expanding beyond its traditional imaging and printing businesses into semiconductor equipment, medical systems, and surveillance and security solutions. India is among the company’s focused markets globally, with Nomura saying its operations in the country have recorded double-digit growth consistently. The company’s cameras, printers, multifunction devices and production machines continue to form the core of its Indian business.
The next step for Canon will depend on the confirmation and progress of semiconductor projects and the resulting requirement for lithography equipment and round-the-clock technical support in India.