Jabil To Set Up Silicon Photonics Unit In Gujarat With $125 Mn Investment
- Chinmay
- March 11, 2025
- Electronics, India, News
- 5G infrastructure, AI chip manufacturing, autonomous vehicle technology, data centers, Gujarat semiconductor hub, IoT and embedded systems, Jabil investment, optical communication, Semiconductor Industry, silicon photonics, telecom networks
- 0 Comments
Apple vendor Jabil is set to establish a silicon photonics manufacturing facility in Gujarat, investing approximately $125 million (INR 1,000 Cr). This move reinforces India’s growing role in the global semiconductor and photonics supply chain.
According to PTI, the electronics manufacturing giant formalized its commitment by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government at the IESA Vision Summit in Gandhinagar.
Matt Crowley, Jabil’s executive vice president of the global business unit, expressed enthusiasm about the venture, stating, “As we look to the future, we are very excited to announce that we have plans to open a new factory in Gujarat. We are very excited to announce (an) MoU specific to silicon photonics manufacturing in the state of Gujarat today.”
Silicon Photonics & Its Industrial Impact
Silicon photonics technology is a key enabler in high-speed data transmission applications, finding extensive use in:
- Data centers for enhanced optical communication
- Telecom networks for efficient signal transmission
- Computing systems for faster and more energy-efficient data processing
- Emerging industries like autonomous vehicles, healthcare, and AI-driven applications
Crowley further highlighted the strategic importance of silicon photonics for Jabil and confirmed that the new unit will be operational before the end of this calendar year. “We believe photonics holds immense opportunity in advanced industries like autonomous vehicles, treatment as well as 5G network and artificial intelligence applications… Silicon photonics is very strategic for us. The plant will come up before the end of the calendar year,” he stated.
India’s Semiconductor Boom: Key Investments in Gujarat
Jabil’s investment aligns with India’s larger ambitions in the semiconductor sector. The Gujarat government secured proposals worth INR 15,000 Cr from both domestic and international firms during the first day of the semiconductor conference in Gandhinagar.
Some key developments include:
- NextGen’s INR 10,000 Cr commitment to set up a compound semiconductor fab and opto-electronics facility in Gujarat.
- Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology’s INR 500 Cr investment in an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) unit.
- IIT Gandhinagar’s MoU with Tata Electronics for semiconductor skill development.
- Tripartite agreement between Tata Electronics, PSMC, and Himax Technologies for display semiconductor advancements.
With India being recognized as a prime destination for scaling high-tech investments, Jabil’s move underscores the country’s favorable market conditions, skilled workforce, and government incentives. This investment marks another step toward strengthening India’s position in the global semiconductor and photonics industry.
This development is set to boost job opportunities in various high-tech fields, including:
- Photonics and Embedded Engineers – Designing and optimizing silicon photonics components for high-speed data transmission and IoT applications.
- Semiconductor Process Specialists – Managing fabrication, testing, and quality control of advanced photonic chips for next-gen connectivity.
- IoT and Embedded Systems Developers – Integrating silicon photonics into smart devices, telecom networks, and AI-driven applications.
- Manufacturing and Automation Technicians – Operating precision assembly, cleanroom processes, and automated semiconductor production.
- R&D and Innovation Experts – Exploring new applications for silicon photonics in industries like AI, 5G, autonomous vehicles, and smart factories.
