Mikron (controlled by Element and AFK Sistema) has prepared an investment project for a two-fold increase (up to 6 thousand per month) of capacities for the production of silicon wafers for 180-90 nm chips. The implementation of the project will require 10 billion rubles by 2025. The company expects to receive funds under the scope of the national project for the development of electronics until 2030, which is being developed.

According to the news source of Kommersant, Mikron plans to purchase used equipment for new lines. According to another source close to the government, the project has been sent to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for consideration. The experts from the Ministry of Digital Development say that in the current conditions the need for expansion of capacities is understandable: “demand is provided by reorienting consumers to Russian solutions in the segments of marking, identification, chip cards and other products”.

The number of orders from Russian companies, which need domestic chips for telemetry equipment, Internet of things devices and electronic cards under the conditions the sanctions, has been increasing since the end of February. According to microelectronics market players, Russian manufacturers can buy used equipment from Asian companies and install it using their own resources. But the risk of consumables shortage during capacities expansion still remains.

Original (in Russian)