Compound Semiconductor Market Size & Opportunities Analysis - Growth Strategies, Competitiveness, and Forecasts (2025 - 2032)

Compound Semiconductor Market Emerging Trends

Expansion in Automotive and Industrial Applications Is a Key Trend

• Silicon carbide and gallium nitride are replacing traditional silicon in EV powertrains, as they enhance inverter and onboard charger efficiency, which enables faster charging, longer range, and reduced heat loss.
• In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a USD 51.7-million investment to support new transportation projects, including better EV batteries and stronger cybersecurity for EV charging stations.
• Compound semiconductors enable accurate signal processing in LiDAR, radar, and cameras, which support ADAS features such as lane detection, collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control.
• The Department of Transportation has approved USD 6.5 million for demo projects, including USD 5 million for ADAS in transit buses and USD 1.5 million for the first phase of automated bus maintenance and yard operations.
• Compound semiconductors support V2X communication, as vehicles increasingly rely on high-speed data for infotainment and real-time safety in autonomous driving.
• Smart grids and industrial power systems use compound semiconductors for efficient power distribution, voltage regulation, and fault tolerance.

Rising Demand for 5G and High-Speed Communications Are the Growth Driver

• ​5G networks require advanced RF components made from compound semiconductor materials, such as GaN and GaAs, for superior power handling and thermal performance.
• GaN reduces power usage and thermal effects within 5G systems, particularly when used in smartphone base stations.
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will invest USD 65 billion to build three advanced fabrication facilities in Phoenix, Arizona.
• This is backed by up to USD 6.6 billion in U.S. government funding to support 5G, AI, and high-performance computing chip production.
• 5G networks use many small, spread-out cells, which need strong power and signal parts.
• Compound semiconductors are ideal because they work well at high power and frequency.
• The South Korean government is extending approximately USD 6.4 billion by 2025 to strengthen the competitiveness of the advanced semiconductor sector.
• These materials allow for the creation of compact and high-speed components for advanced RF modules.
• As global 5G infrastructure expands, the need for high-performance compound semiconductors will increase.

Compound Semiconductor Market Segmentation Analysis

Deposition Technology Analysis

The chemical vapor deposition category held the largest market share, of 65%, in 2024 and it will grow at the highest CAGR, of approx. 7.3%, during the forecast period. This is because of its appreciable flexibility, scalability, and efficiency in producing high-quality thin films. CVD offers precise control over film thickness, uniformity, and composition, making it ideal for high-volume production required in modern fabs. Additionally, as more-advanced chips are needed for electric vehicles, telecom operations, and AI devices, manufacturers are preferring CVD to reliably create high-quality layers in large quantities.

The deposition technologies analyzed here are:

• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) (Largest and Fastest-Growing Category)
• Molecular Beam Epitaxy
• Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy (HVPE)
• Ammonothermal
• Liquid Phase Epitaxy
• Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)

Type Analysis

The gallium nitride category held the largest market share, of 45%, in 2024. This is because GaN maintains a high breakdown voltage and low conduction resistance, which allow for high-speed switching and the miniaturization of equipment. Moreover, GaN devices can easily support high electron mobility and densities because of their compact size. Moreover, higher energy efficiency, faster device speed, lower costs, high power density, operability at higher temperatures, higher frequency, and higher operating voltage of GaN semiconductor devices over silicon variants are likely to drive the market progress.

In addition, the rising demand for ADAS around the globe can be viewed as a growth opportunity for the players operating in the opto-semiconductors market. For instance, both the U.S. and the European Union have mandated that all new vehicles be installed with forward-collision warning systems and autonomous emergency braking systems.

The silicon carbide category will grow at the highest CAGR, during the forecast period. This is because SiC can handle higher voltages, temperatures, and power levels than traditional silicon and even some other compound semiconductors. SiC is important for converting and managing power in solar inverters and wind turbines, where efficiency and durability are key. It helps reduce power losses and performs better in tough outdoor conditions compared to other materials.

The types analyzed here are:

• Gallium Nitride (GaN) (Largest Category)
  • Aluminum Gallium Nitride (AlGaN)
  • Indium Gallium Nitride (InGaN)
• Gallium Arsenide (GAAS)
  • Aluminum Gallium Arsenide (AlGaAs)
• Silicon Carbide (SiC) (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Indium Phosphide (InP)
• Silicon Germanium (SiGe)
• Gallium Phosphide (GaP)
  • Aluminum Gallium Phosphide (AlGaP)

Product Analysis

The power electronics category held the largest market share, of 40%, in 2024, this is because of the growing usage of compound semiconductors in smart home appliances and advanced consumer electronics. GaN has become an important building block for power electronics, helping improve the energy efficiency of mobile devices, LEDs, and other appliances.

For instance, in January 2025, the European Investment Bank provided NXP Semiconductors N.V. with a EUR 1 billion loan to support R&D on power electronics devices and microprocessors in five European countries.

Moreover, SiC devices have three times the thermal conductivity and ten times the breakdown electric field strength of devices made purely of silicon. These features reduce the complexity and cost of the device, improve its reliability, and allow it to be used in several high-voltage applications, such as solar inverters, power supplies, and wind turbines. The market for silicon carbide power devices is significantly growing because of the rising need for power electronics, which effectively manage and convert electrical power. As a result, SiC power devices are increasingly being used in the aerospace and defense sector.

The products analyzed here is:

• LED
• Optoelectronics
• RF Devices (Fastest-Growing Category)
  • RF Power
  • RF Switching
  • Others
• Power Electronics (Largest Category)
  • Discrete
  • Diode
  • Bare Die
  • Module

Application Analysis

The telecommunication category held the largest market share, of 45%, in 2024, this is because the increasing use of GaAs, InP, SiGe, and GaN compound semiconductors in mobiles and other wireless communication platforms is boosting the market growth. This is itself due to the growing demand for 5G networks, which will transform the wireless communication sector. The demand for higher bandwidths is increasing because of the booming mobile data usage, which implies greater stress on networks for the availability of the wireless spectrum. Mobile data traffic is anticipated to reach 160 Exabytes per month by 2025.

Additionally, the high speed and efficiency of compound semiconductors over silicon semiconductors are the main driving factors for the former’s use in enhanced communication devices. Moreover, the advancement in multiple emerging technologies, such as the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and machine learning, is propelling the need for semiconductor technologies.

Moreover, GaAs devices are frequently used in power switches, amplifiers, and cell phones. Further usage growth in the usage of GaAs semiconducting material in wireless communications would be due to their superior speed and efficiency over silicon semiconductors.

The applications analyzed here is:

• General Lighting
• Telecommunications (Largest Category)
• Military, Defense, and Aerospace
• Automotive (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Power Supply
• Datacom
• Consumer Displays
• Commercial
• Consumer Devices

Compound Semiconductor Market Geographical Analysis

North America held the largest market share, of 55%, in 2024. This is because the demand for these instruments is mainly rising from the U.S. and Canada as a result of the government measures to enhance communications infrastructure and military capabilities.

Therefore, players are raising their investment to boost the output of smart compound semiconductors for consumer electronics, telecom, and IT applications.

Additionally, the CHIPS and Science Act is investing billions into domestic semiconductor manufacturing, including compound semiconductors, to reduce the dependence on foreign supply chains and support technologies such as 5G, AI, and EVs. It is a USD 280-billion initiative with USD 52.7 billion dedicated to semiconductor manufacturing and R&D. It includes USD 39 billion in manufacturing incentives, USD 13.2 billion for research and workforce development, and USD 2 billion for legacy chips, including GaN and SiC.

The Europe region will grow at the highest CAGR, of approx. 6.9% during the forecast period. This is because of the enhancements in the automobile industry, which drive the usage of microelectronics. In this regard, the electrification of vehicles, introduction of artificial intelligence, and digitalization are the main driving factors for the market growth in the country.

The EU's climate goals are leading to more investment in renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind, wherein compound semiconductors make power systems and inverters work more efficiently. For instance, The EU Chips Act (2023) is a EUR 43-billion initiative to boost Europe’s semiconductor manufacturing, research, and innovation. It aims to raise the EU’s global chip production share from under 10% to 20% by 2030 and reduce the dependence on foreign supply. The Act supports advanced, energy-efficient chips, such as GaN and SiC, which are critical for EVs and clean energy.

The regions analyzed in this report are:

• North America (Largest Category)
  • U.S. (Largest Category)
  • Canada (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Europe (Fastest-Growing Category)
  • Germany (Largest Category)
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy (Fastest-Growing Category)
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China (Largest and Fastest-Growing Category)
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil (Largest and Fastest-Growing Category)
  • Mexico
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia (Fastest-Growing Category)
• South Africa
• U.A.E. (Largest Category)
• Rest of MEA

Compound Semiconductor Market Competitive Landscape

The compound semiconductor market is fragmented in nature because of the usage of many materials, such as gallium nitride (GaN), silicon carbide (SiC), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and indium phosphide (InP). These semiconductors are needed in many industries, such as telecom, automotive, aerospace, energy, and electronics. Since each industry has its own needs and standards, companies often focus on making specific types of semiconductors, leading to more specialization. And, because there are so many different materials and uses, most companies focus on specific areas instead of the entire market. Some companies specialize in RF chips, while others focus on power electronics or optoelectronics. This kind of specialization means the market is shared by many companies, not controlled by just a few, which makes it fragmented.

Compound Semiconductor Market Developments

• In February 2025, Intel launched the Xeon 6 processor for data centers and the Lunar Lake processors for AI PCs, emphasizing performance and power efficiency
• In January 2024, Infineon Technologies AG signed a strategic agreement with SK Siltron CSS for SK Siltron CSS to supply Infineon with high-quality 150-mm SiC wafers for semiconductor production. Additionally, the partnership will aid Infineon’s transition to 200-mm SiC wafer diameter in the future.
• In November 2023, Nichia Corporation began the in-house production of high-power red laser diodes, thus expanding its existing blue and green LD portfolio. With this, the company now produces all three primary color LDs internally. This enhances product quality, supply chain control, and responsiveness to customer needs.