Kurita forms India joint venture to serve semiconductor water treatment demand

Kurita Water Industries and Membrane Group India have launched Kurita Membrane India Pvt. Ltd. to provide water treatment and recycling solutions for India’s electronics and semiconductor sector. The move targets a fast-growing market as India ramps up semiconductor investment and builds out a local supply chain.

Why it matters: - India’s semiconductor market is projected to expand sharply, creating demand for ultrapure water, wastewater recycling and resource recovery systems. - Kurita is using the joint venture to deepen its footprint in a priority growth market under its medium-term plan through fiscal 2027. - The partnership gives Kurita a local operating base in a market where the government is pushing semiconductor investment and industrial localization.

What happened: - Kurita Water Industries Ltd. and Membrane Group India Private Limited established Kurita Membrane India Private Limited and began operations in India. - The joint venture is focused on water treatment solutions for the electronics industry, especially semiconductors. - Kurita said the venture was formed in response to rising semiconductor demand and the expansion of manufacturing locations globally. - Kurita Membrane India Pvt. Ltd. was established April 11, 2026, in Gurugram, Haryana.

The details: - The joint venture will provide advanced water treatment, wastewater recycling, resource recovery, water analysis services and environmental solutions. - Its work includes design, engineering, manufacture, sale, installation, commissioning and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment systems. - The product set also includes ultrapure water systems, water recycling and resource recovery solutions. - Kurita Water Industries owns 51% of the venture and Membrane Group India owns 49%. - The capital is INR 348,840,000, or about JPY 600 million. - The capital increase is tentatively scheduled for August 2026. - Membrane Group brings engineering, manufacturing, project execution, commissioning and lifecycle service capabilities in India. - Kurita brings water treatment technologies, products and services already used in key markets including Japan. - Kurita AquaChemie India Private Limited, which began selling water treatment chemicals in 2024, will operate alongside the new joint venture. - Kurita said the combined presence is intended to raise the company’s profile in India and strengthen its business base. - Kurita framed the venture as part of its effort to expand growth opportunities and contribute to solutions for water and environmental challenges.

Between the lines: - The deal reflects a broader push by global industrial suppliers to follow semiconductor manufacturing into India. - Kurita is pairing global process expertise with local execution capacity to fit Indian market conditions and environmental requirements. - The structure suggests Kurita wants to move beyond chemicals and sell a broader bundle of water-management services to electronics customers. - India’s policy support for semiconductor investment appears to be a key demand driver behind the venture.

What's next: - The joint venture is expected to scale its offerings to electronics and semiconductor customers as India’s manufacturing ecosystem grows. - Kurita and Membrane Group will likely use the new company to pursue industrial water-treatment projects tied to semiconductor expansion. - Kurita’s India strategy now includes both chemicals sales and localized systems and services through the new venture. - The company expects the joint venture to support its broader global business foundation and long-term growth plan.

The bottom line: - Kurita is betting that India’s semiconductor buildout will create durable demand for high-end water treatment infrastructure, and it now has a local partner to compete for that business.