Vedanta adds semiconductors and display glass ventures to its portfolio

Vedanta Ltd has announced the addition of semiconductors and display glass manufacturing ventures to its diversified portfolio.

This represents a large growth opportunity for India where the semiconductor market stood at $24 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $80 billion by 2026. The display panel market is estimated to be worth $7 billion and is expected to grow to $15 billion by 2025. Currently, India imports 100% of these requirements. Vedanta Ltd’s twin ventures will provide added momentum to the Government’s goal of Atmanirbharta in electronics.

The global semiconductor industry is at an exciting juncture. India is in a sweet spot to capitalize as the world looks to diversify critical supply chains in semiconductors and display fab. In approving these acquisitions, the Board of Vedanta Ltd believes Vedanta and its shareholders, as well as India’s economy, can benefit from the tremendous opportunity these shifting global dynamics provides.

The acquisition will be effected by way of a share transfer at face value of Twin Star Technologies Ltd’s (TSTL) semiconductor and display SPVs. TSTL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volcan Investments Ltd, the ultimate holding company of Vedanta Ltd.

David Reed, CEO of Vedanta’s Semiconductor Business, said, “I believe that India can become the next semiconductor hub for the world. It has all the ingredients for success.”

Vedanta Ltd will leverage its expertise in large-scale manufacturing and operational excellence and partner with the best global companies to drive the two businesses. Made in India semiconductors and display glass will facilitate affordable electronics -- smartphones, laptops, televisions, and electric vehicles for all Indians.

Vedanta Chairman, Anil Agarwal, said: “Vedanta is committed to making India self-reliant in electronics. This is the beginning of the creation of a Silicon Valley in India, a cutting edge and world class electronics ecosystem. My dream is for every Indian youth to have an affordable smartphone, laptop and an electric vehicle.”

Akarsh Hebbar, Global MD, Vedanta’s Semiconductor and Display Business, noted: “We believe that semiconductors and display fab are at the core of any electronics ecosystem. This will also spawn the creation of multiple ancillary industries and opportunities in both downstream and upstream, creating jobs and will be a GDP multiplier.”

Y.J. Chen, CEO of Display Business, said: “This is India’s time to become only the fifth country in the world to manufacture display glass. The impact on consumers in terms of affordability of devices will be huge.”

Vedanta has an existing presence in the LCD glass substrate business through its subsidiary Avanstrate Inc. which is a pioneering top global manufacturer of LCD glass substrates. Vedanta is therefore in a strong position to leverage the experience and expertise in its glass business to its new presence in the Display ecosystem in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been signed by the respective SPVs in September 2022 with the Government of Gujarat, to set up the semiconductor and display fabs, in Dholera, Gujarat.