Silicon Carbide Research and Innovation Center (SiCRIC) – A Joint Industry Laboratory – Inaugurated in IIT Bhubaneswar During Utkarsh Odisha Conclave

Bhubaneswar, 31^st January 2025: Silicon-Carbide Research and Innovation Centre (SiCRIC) – A Joint Industry Laboratory between IIT Bhubaneswar and SiCSem Pvt. Ltd.was inaugurated virtually by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister of railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Govt. of IndiaElectronics & Information Technology, during Utkarsh Odisha. The center is being built in IIT Bhubaneswar at an initial cost of Rs. 45 cr and is expected to indigenize the know-how of SiC crystal growth, and high volume production of 150 mm and 200 mm SiC wafers. The center will provide research and innovation support to the Rs. 3000 cr SiC device fabrication and ATMP plant being established by SiCSem Pvt. Ltd. 15 km away from IIT Bhubaneswar in Infovalley-2. The foundation stone for this plant was laid virtually by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi before the inauguration of SiCRIC. Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs and Electronics & IT, Govt. of Odisha, Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar and Mr. Guru Thalapaneni, Managing Director, SiCSem Private Limited were present on this occasion.

Speaking on this occasion, Prof. Karmalkar said: “Central Govt. has been successful in creating a narrative where the average person is talking about semiconductors. It has sanctioned several significant semiconductor projects.  Odisha govt has taken a bold decision to attract compound semiconductor fabs such as SiCSem and RIR.  Building a semiconductor ecosystem requires close collaboration between industry and academia and among multidisciplinary faculty in academia. Silicon Carbide Research and Innovation Center (SiCRIC) inaugurated today is a unique joint industry lab in the country, between SiCSem Pvt Ltd and IIT Bhubaneswar, embodying all these ideas. IIT Bhubaneswar is committed to providing research, innovation, and skill training for end-to-end technology development in semiconductors in general and compound semiconductors in particular. End to end means the entire range from powder to crystal to wafers to Device fab, packaging, PCB, and systems or product.”

In his statement, Mr. Thalapaneni said: “SicSem is excited by this academia and industry collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar in building the country’s first dedicated Silicon Carbide Research facility. It will not only develop cutting edge products for the semiconductor sector but also serve as a skill development center for students to build careers in the semiconductor sector.”