The company’s entry into India comes at an important time for the country’s technology sector. India is investing heavily in semiconductor manufacturing as part of its effort to build a domestic electronics ecosystem and reduce dependence on overseas chip supplies. New fabrication plants and supporting facilities require sophisticated systems capable of delivering ultra-high-purity gases, making the sector an important growth opportunity for companies such as Kelington.
Kelington has already secured a major project in Gujarat. In March 2026, the company announced a US$105 million contract, equivalent to roughly ₹876 crore, to provide a turnkey gas-distribution system for a semiconductor wafer-fabrication facility in the state. The project is scheduled for completion by July 2028. The company did not publicly identify the semiconductor manufacturer, although industry analysts and media reports have linked the project to Tata Electronics’ semiconductor plans.
The contract involves much more than supplying ordinary industrial gases. Semiconductor manufacturing requires an extremely controlled and continuous supply of ultra-high-purity gases. Even small variations or contamination can affect chip production, making gas distribution a critical part of a modern fabrication plant.
Kelington specialises in engineering solutions for these kinds of facilities. Its business includes ultra-high-purity gas and chemical delivery systems, cleanroom construction, general contracting and industrial-gas supply. This experience has helped the company win projects from major technology and semiconductor companies across Asia and Europe.
India has become increasingly important to Kelington’s growth strategy. In June, the company was reported to have an order book of almost RM2 billion, with India accounting for approximately RM539 million, making it one of its largest markets by order-book contribution. Its tender pipeline in India has also expanded considerably, reflecting expectations of further semiconductor investments.
The company is not relying on a single project. Kelington’s management has indicated that it sees additional opportunities in India, including semiconductor facilities planned in Gujarat as well as potential projects in Hyderabad and areas around Delhi. The company is also preparing to compete for follow-on work that could emerge once the initial infrastructure phase of new fabs is completed.
The wider opportunity is being created by India’s push to establish a domestic semiconductor manufacturing base. The country’s first major commercial 300mm wafer fabrication project in Gujarat represents a significant step in that direction. Such facilities require extensive supporting infrastructure, including specialised gas systems, chemical delivery networks and other high-precision engineering services.
For Kelington, India’s semiconductor expansion offers the possibility of developing a long-term business relationship rather than simply winning individual construction contracts. Semiconductor manufacturers regularly require maintenance, upgrades and additional infrastructure as production capacity increases.
The company’s industrial-gas business could also become increasingly important. Kelington currently operates liquid carbon dioxide production facilities in Malaysia and has been expanding its on-site gas-supply activities. Management has said that future capacity expansion is likely to come from the industrial-gases segment as demand increases.
The Indian opportunity also fits Kelington’s broader international strategy. The company has expanded beyond its traditional markets in Malaysia, Singapore, China and Taiwan, with new business opportunities emerging in India and Europe. Its management believes the global semiconductor investment cycle could keep advanced engineering demand strong over the next several years.
For India, the arrival of companies specialising in semiconductor infrastructure is another sign that the country’s chip ecosystem is beginning to attract a wider network of international suppliers. Building a semiconductor industry requires not only chip manufacturers but also companies providing gases, chemicals, cleanrooms, equipment, construction services and specialised engineering systems.
Kelington’s growing Indian presence therefore reflects a broader shift in the country’s manufacturing landscape. As more semiconductor facilities move from planning to construction and eventually production, demand for specialised industrial infrastructure is expected to increase.
The company will now need to execute its existing projects successfully while converting its growing Indian tender pipeline into new contracts. If it succeeds, India could become an increasingly important market for Kelington’s engineering and industrial-gas businesses in the years ahead.
For India’s semiconductor ambitions, the development is equally significant. A successful chip-manufacturing ecosystem will depend on a large network of specialised suppliers, and companies such as Kelington could play an important role in building that supporting infrastructure.
