Semiconductor Chemicals Market Size & Share Analysis - Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2024 - 2030)

Semiconductor Chemicals Market Analysis

The semiconductor chemicals market size has been estimated at USD 13.9 billion in 2024, and it is expected to advance at a compound annual growth rate of 12.5% during 2024–2030, to reach USD 28.3 billion by 2030.

This can be primarily ascribed to the growing use of electronic devices, including laptops, IoT gadgets, and smartphones, which has, in turn, propelled the production of semiconductors. This has further created a high demand for chemicals that are used in wafer fabrication processes. Moreover, the advancing semiconductor technologies, such as complicated designs, and the transition to smaller nodes necessitate the development of new chemicals, in order to meet the requirements for miniaturization, efficiency, and performance.

The use of electronic products is expanding across the globe, and they are being armed with the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and other advanced technologies. Because of these innovations, a large amount of data needs to be processed quickly and stored in memory chips. Therefore, the burgeoning requirement for faster and more-sophisticated memory chips for industrial applications is expected to fuel the market progress over the coming years.

Additionally, with the use of materials such as germanium, gallium arsenide, and silicon, it became possible for electronics manufacturers to replace existing thermionic devices, which are responsible for making these devices heavy and non-portable. Thus, with the employment of miniature semiconductor elements, the end devices have themselves become much smaller. In turn, this has increased the demand for IoT, AI, and wireless gadgets.

Several companies are providing multi-chip packages, which will boost the market advance further. For instance, Micron Technologies Inc. offers multi-chip packages and high-capacity memory that support AI training and can be used on edge, cloud, mobile, and embedded devices. The new systems come with a single system-on-chip (SoC) in order to provide high degrees of integration. They combine memory, processors, sensors, RF transceivers, networking modules, and power management modules in a single component, thus providing enhanced security and power efficiency.

High-Performance Polymers Hold Second-Largest Share

High-performance polymers hold the second-largest share, of 20%, attributed to their versatility and resistance to wear, heat, and chemicals, which make them suitable for use in harsh manufacturing environments. They are suitable for manufacturing the packaging material, components, and insulating layers of semiconductor devices, where durability and precision are important. The growing demand for advanced technologies and products, such as 5G, autonomous vehicles, and AI, has created a high demand for semiconductor components that can withstand high temperatures and other extreme conditions.

Demand for Optoelectronics Is Growing Significantly across the Globe

The optoelectronics category, within the end use segment, is growing significantly across the globe. This is attributed to the surging demand for optoelectronic components in multiple industries, such as automotive, consumer electronics, manufacturing, and medical devices. Here, these components are used in a wide range of applications, such as lights, displays, communication systems, and sensors.

Asia-Pacific Region Accounts for Significant Revenue Contribution

APAC has a significant position in the semiconductor chemicals market, and it will reach a value of more than USD 6.0 billion by 2030. This is attributed to the growing automotive industry and the rising output of semiconductors. Along with the increasing semiconductor production, the rising research and development in this area are a significant driver. The market is also growing because of the strong government support for digitization and the presence of key players. In APAC, China holds the leading position, attributed to the fast adoption of advanced technologies.

Photoresists Are Key Application

Photoresists are a wide application area as these photosensitive resins are used in the process of lithography for transferring circuit patterns, such as those for semiconductors on a silicon wafer. On the surface of a silicon wafer, with a photochemical reaction caused by the irradiation of light, they form circuit patterns and cross through the photomask, on which the circuit patterns are drawn. They are used in several industrial processes, such as photoengraving and photolithography, wherein their structure changes with exposure to UV light. Following the change in structure, they form a coating over the substrate and are, therefore, used in the manufacturing of semiconductors.

In photoresists, the key chemicals used are polymethyl methacrylate, polymethyl glutarimide, and phenol formaldehyde resin. For manufacturing microelectromechanical systems, these chemicals are used as silicon etching agents for alkali cleansers, primarily because of their sharp patterning, high purity, and applicability to micro-processing.

The etching category is the second-largest, with a share of 15%, as this process helps in shaping semiconductor components. Majorly, it aids in the precise removal of materials from wafers and the creation of intricate patterns that are important for integrated circuits and various other semiconductor devices. Over the years, miniaturization demand has increased and led to the emergence of advanced designs, such as 3D NAND memory and FinFET transistors. Additionally, the demand for eco-friendly etching chemicals is growing with the rising focus on the conservation of the environment. This boosts the necessity for manufacturing processes that are sustainable, in turn, fueling the requirement for greener etching chemicals.

Segmentation and Regions Covered in this Report

Based on Type

• High-Performance Polymers 
• Acid & Base Chemicals 
• Adhesives 
• Solvents 

Based on Application

• Photoresists
• Etching 
• Deposition
• Cleaning 
• Doping 

Based on End Use

•  Integrated Circuits 
• Discrete Semiconductors 
• Sensors 
• Optoelectronics 

Geographical Analysis

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia-Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • U.A.E.