Pall Corp to double production capacity with new US$150 million facility in Singapore
With improved capabilities, the US-headquartered firm can partner customers for technology and process development, says president Naresh Narasimhan
AMERICAN filtration solutions producer Pall Corp on Thursday (Jun 13) officially opened a US$150 million manufacturing facility in Singapore to support the global demand for chips.
With phase one of the facility launched, the firm can double its production capacity, with the ability to go up “multiple folds” in future phases, president Naresh Narasimhan told The Business Times in an interview.
The 2.8-hectare facility in Jurong Industrial Estate is the company’s second manufacturing plant in the region, and its first microelectronics filter facility.
It will primarily produce lithography and wet-etch filtration, purification and separation solutions. These are used in advanced node semiconductor manufacturing, which requires clean fluid streams to avoid potential contamination and defects.
The facility includes more than 18,000 square metres of high-volume manufacturing and office space, with plans to integrate research and development capabilities in future, said the company.
Its new state-of-the-art technology will also bolster Pall’s capacity to “support cutting-edge technologies and help scale new applications like generative AI (artificial intelligence)”, it said. It will also enable the firm to partner customers for technology and process development, said Narasimhan.
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With the rise of mega trends such as AI and 5G, demand for semiconductor chips is expected to “increase exponentially over the next decades”, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan, who was present at the opening ceremony.
Demand for AI chips, in particular, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 22 per cent.
“This demand will translate into the need for additional semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and capacities,” said Tan.
Singapore expects further investments from companies across the entire semiconductor chain, from wafer fabrication to advanced packaging and testing, he added.
Pall set up its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore in 1984. Asked why the company picked the country for its new facility, Narasimhan cited the Republic’s supply chain infrastructure and global reach as key factors.
The company expects to create more than 300 jobs over the next few years across science, engineering and advanced manufacturing for the new site.
“There will be a consistent focus on talent development aligned to broader strategic national priorities, to ensure that the advanced manufacturing industry can thrive in Singapore,” said the company in its statement.
Casey Mace, deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Singapore, said: “Pall’s decision to build (this facility) in Singapore is yet another example of American companies’ strong vote of confidence in Singapore’s leading business climate, talent and strategic position in global supply chains.”
He added: “The US has been increasingly looking to Singapore as a key location for investing in semiconductors supply chain businesses.”
Narasimhan said: “This new facility is not only an important development for advancing semiconductor manufacturing technology, but also an important next step for Pall...
“We will continue to leverage our experience and expertise to help solve global challenges, from the increased demand for advanced chips to aiding in the transition to greener manufacturing.”
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