Role of Industrial Gases in the Semiconductor & Electronics Ecosystem

Diganta Sarma, Head – Strategy & Business Development, INOX Air Products, engaged in a conversation with Thiruamuthan, Assistant Editor at Industry Outlook, discusses the critical role of ultra-high purity and specialty gases in ensuring precision, yield, and reliability in semiconductor manufacturing. He also talks about how localized supply, advanced gas technologies, and resilient infrastructure are essential to support India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem.

Diganta Sarma is a seasoned business leader with over three decades of experience, specializing in strategic P&L management, business growth, and decarbonization. His expertise spans hydrogen, specialty gases, and industrial markets, with strong capabilities in strategy, commercialization, operations, and B2B market development across global regions.

Given the precision requirements in semiconductor fabrication, how critical are ultra-high purity industrial gases in ensuring yield, reliability, and process consistency?

Ultra-high purity (UHP) gases are, without doubt, the backbone of semiconductor fabrication. At nanometer-scale nodes, even the slightest trace of contaminants can significantly disrupt critical processes such as deposition, etching, and overall transistor behavior. As a result, yield is impacted through wafer defects, reliability is compromised due to latent failures, and process consistency declines owing to batch variability. Therefore, maintaining purity is not limited to a single stage but must seamlessly extend across the entire value chain—right from production and storage to transportation and point-of-use. In this context, at INOX Air Products, for instance, we ensure end-to-end integrity through advanced purification technologies, well-engineered distribution networks, and stringent quality control protocols.

Amid India’s push to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem, how is the availability of specialty gases shaping the readiness of fabs and electronics manufacturing units?

India’s semiconductor drive, backed by initiatives such as the India Semiconductor Mission, strongly hinges on the reliable availability of specialty gases across the value chain. Semiconductor fabs depend not only on bulk gases but also on highly specialized chemistries, where assured supply, consistent quality, and precision are absolutely critical for seamless operations. At the same time, a significant reliance on imports exposes the ecosystem to potential risks, including supply disruptions, logistical delays, and cost uncertainties, which can directly impact production timelines.

In this evolving landscape, the need for a robust and localized gas infrastructure becomes increasingly important. INOX Air Products, with its strong national footprint and deep domain expertise, is actively investing in building localized capabilities and infrastructure to ensure a dependable and high-quality gas supply. This, in turn, plays a vital role in strengthening the resilience and long-term sustainability of India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

In the context of increasing chip complexity and shrinking nodes, how are gas technologies evolving to support advanced processes like etching, deposition, and cleaning?

As semiconductor nodes continue to shrink, the demand for atomic-level precision across manufacturing processes is becoming increasingly critical. In this context, etching requires highly selective chemistries, deposition depends on advanced precursors for forming ultra-thin films, and cleaning processes are progressively shifting toward dry, gas-based methods. At the same time, gas delivery systems must ensure precise flow control, contamination-free distribution, and real-time monitoring to consistently maintain process integrity.

Additionally, the growing role of digitalization is enabling predictive control and improved process optimization across operations. As a result, industrial gas companies are steadily evolving into comprehensive solution providers, seamlessly integrating chemistry, engineering, and digital capabilities to effectively address next-generation semiconductor process requirements.

Also Read: Chip Manufacturing Ambition: How India's Fab Future Takes Shape

Against the backdrop of heavy import dependence for specialty gases, what challenges exist in localizing production without compromising purity and quality standards?

Electronic-grade gases demand parts-per-trillion levels of purity, which are supported by highly advanced purification technologies and extremely tightly controlled production environments. In addition to this, proprietary synthesis processes often require close collaboration with global partners to ensure the highest standards are consistently met.

However, achieving uniform consistency at scale, while also ensuring economic viability, continues to remain a significant challenge, particularly during the early stages of ecosystem development. Moreover, seamless integration across the supply chain—from raw material sourcing and processing to secure storage and logistics—is absolutely critical to maintaining both quality and reliability.

At INOX Air Products, with its proven expertise in high-purity gases, is well positioned to drive localization efforts while consistently adhering to and meeting established global benchmarks.

Considering the stringent safety and handling requirements of industrial gases, how are suppliers and fabs collaborating to manage risks across storage, transport, and usage?

Safety is absolutely non-negotiable in semiconductor gas management, given the critical nature of operations and the potential risks involved. In this context, suppliers and fabs work closely together on infrastructure that is specifically engineered with advanced safety features such as leak detection systems, automated shut-offs, and multiple fail-safe mechanisms. Furthermore, well-defined joint operating procedures, along with real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance practices, play a crucial role in enhancing overall system reliability. At the same time, regular training programs, safety audits, and emergency drills are conducted to ensure a high level of workforce readiness and awareness. In this regard, INOX Air Products partners closely with fabs to embed a strong culture of safety and operational excellence across the entire gas lifecycle.

As semiconductor manufacturing scales up, how are gas supply chains being designed to ensure uninterrupted availability and minimize production downtime?

In semiconductor manufacturing, downtime is often measured in millions, making uninterrupted operations absolutely critical for fabs. As a result, supply chains are strategically designed with a strong focus on resilience and redundancy, incorporating on-site generation for bulk gases, along with multi-source strategies and adequate backup storage for specialty gases. In addition, digital inventory management systems play a vital role by enabling accurate demand forecasting and proactive replenishment, thereby minimizing the risk of supply disruptions. We integrate deeply into fab operations, offering comprehensive on-site management and advanced logistics optimization solutions to ensure a consistent and uninterrupted gas supply at all times.

Also Read: From Lagging to Leading: India's Chip Journey

With rising focus on sustainability in electronics manufacturing, how are industrial gas companies addressing emissions, recycling, and efficient gas utilization?

Sustainability is increasingly becoming central to modern semiconductor fabs, as the industry places greater emphasis on reducing its environmental footprint. In this context, industrial gas companies are actively deploying advanced abatement technologies to neutralize high global warming potential (GWP) emissions, while also focusing on reclaiming and recycling high-value gases to improve resource efficiency.

Additionally, efforts are being made to optimize energy consumption across production processes to enhance overall sustainability. In line with this approach, INOX Air Products embeds sustainability across its operations—from plant design and engineering to logistics and emissions management—thereby aligning with global ESG goals while simultaneously improving operational efficiency and long-term value creation.

Looking ahead, how will advancements in semiconductor technologies influence demand patterns and innovation in industrial gases within the electronics ecosystem?

Advancements in semiconductors across AI, high-performance computing (HPC), mobility, and IoT are set to significantly reshape gas demand, driving the need for higher purity levels, more specialized chemistries, and highly tailored solutions.

In this evolving landscape, novel precursors and selective etching gases are expected to gain increasing prominence. Consequently, industrial gas companies must move beyond traditional supply roles and evolve into true innovation partners, working closely with fabs and equipment manufacturers to co-develop next-generation solutions. In this regard, we actively are investing in R&D, digitalization, and integrated service models to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the electronics ecosystem.