Silicon Wafer Market

Market Overview:

The global silicon wafer market size reached US$ 12.2 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 17.5 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4% during 2024-2032. The growing environmental concerns about high carbon emissions from fuel-based power plants, rising installation of solar power plants, and increasing demand for wireless computing devices represent some of the key factors driving the market.

Increasing Shift Towards Advanced Technology Nodes Impelling Market Growth

A rise in the demand for advanced electronic gadgets that support a wide range of applications is encouraging semiconductor manufacturers to invent technologically advanced nodes. As a result, key players in the semiconductor industry are investing in research and development (R&D) activities to improve production efficiency. They are also shifting from a small size technology node to a large size technology node, which is essential for increasing the performance of the device and decreasing the power consumption capabilities. Thus, economic benefits, such as a reduction in cost per die with various wafer size transitions, are expected to have a major impact on the global silicon wafer market.

Competitive analysis such as market structure, market share by key players, player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided. The global silicon wafer market structure is concentrated as the majority of the market share is controlled by a few leading players. The volume of new entrants in the silicon wafer industry is moderate due to the requirement for high capital investments and the presence of high competition. Furthermore, the product differentiation rate is low as manufacturers differentiate their products based on quality and prices.

What is a Silicon Wafer?

Silicon (Si) wafer refers to a semiconductor component installed with microelectronic circuits and electronic integrated circuits (ICs). It is commercially available as polished, undoped silicon, doped silicon, and epitaxial wafers, which are traditional wafers utilized for obtaining surface integrity and regulating the energy consumption of devices. It is manufactured by numerous micro-fabrication steps, such as implantation, etching, deposition of various materials, and photolithographic patterning. It is created with an impurity doping concentration of phosphorus, arsenic, boron, or antimony. It offers a wide range of current and voltage handling capacities with high durability, reliability, and heat resistance. It is widely utilized in smartphones, tablets, smart wearables, solar cells, military weapons, gaming devices, and rectifiers. It is also used for lessening the parasitic device capacitance in microelectronics and enhancing its performance. As a result, it finds applications in various industries, such as electronics, telecommunication, energy generation, defense, and automotive.

COVID-19 Impact:

The outbreak of COVID-19 imposed a mildly negative impact on the demand for silicon wafers. However, owing to global lockdowns and in compliance with the directives from the government, the manufacturing of silicon wafers slowed down during the initial days of the pandemic. A few plants which were operating were burdened with supply disruptions from the raw material industry, labor shortages, and low stocks. With the upliftment of lockdown restrictions, numerous organizations started focusing on enhancing their operational capacity to boost production and meet the rising demand from consumer electronics, communication, and automotive industries. Despite the effects of the pandemic, major vendors operating in the industry observed significant revenue increase. The sudden disruption of normal business operations caused by the coronavirus forced companies to drive their businesses remotely, which spiked the demand for better network connectivity and improved internet coverage, especially in remote and rural locations. The pandemic threatened a logistical and transportation slowdown. Logistic providers were unable to transport goods impeccably, particularly across borders.

Silicon Wafer Market Trends:

At present, the increasing demand for silicon wafers due to the rising prevalence of miniaturization of electronic devices represents one of the crucial factors supporting the growth of the market. Besides this, the growing environmental concerns about high carbon emissions from fuel-based power plants are offering a favorable market outlook. In addition, the increasing purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce fuel dependency and minimize the emissions of harmful vehicular exhausts in the air is propelling the growth of the market. Apart from this, the rising installation of solar power plants to generate renewable energy and minimize the impacts of pollution, global warming, and climate change is contributing to the growth of the market. Additionally, the increasing adoption of silicon wafers in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), adaptive cruise control, touch-free human-machine interfaces, and automatic braking systems in automobiles is supporting the growth of the market. Moreover, the rising demand for wireless computing devices, including e-readers, gaming consoles, portable personal computers (PCs), tablets, and smartphones, is strengthening the market growth. Furthermore, key market players are heavily investing in research and development (R&D) activities to manufacture innovative products and stay competitive in the market.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global silicon wafer market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2024-2032. Our report has categorized the market based on wafer size, type, application and end use.

Wafer Size Insights:

• 0 - 100 mm
• 100 - 200 mm
• 200 - 300 mm
• More than 300 mm
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the silicon wafer market based on the wafer size. This includes 0 - 100 mm, 100 - 200 mm, 200 - 300 mm, and more than 300 mm. According to the report, more than 300 mm represented the largest segment as it is integrated in semiconductor production. Besides this, the rising product demand from the solar energy sector is bolstering the growth of the market.

Type Insights:

• N-type
• P-type
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the silicon wafer market based on the type has also been provided in the report. This includes N-type and P-type. According to the report, P-type accounted for the largest market share as it has larger hole concentrations than electrons. In addition, the increasing demand for p-type multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) wafers in solar cells is propelling the growth of the respective segment.

Application Insights:

• Solar Cells
• Integrated Circuits
• Photoelectric Cells
• Others
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the silicon wafer market based on the application has also been provided in the report. This includes solar cells, integrated circuits photoelectric cells, and others. According to the report, solar cells accounted for the largest market share on account of the increasing installation of solar power panels to generate electricity. Besides this, the rising environmental awareness among the masses is contributing to the growth of the market.

End Use Insights:

• Consumer Electronics
• Automotive
• Industrial
• Telecommunications
• Others
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the silicon wafer market based on the end use has also been provided in the report. This includes consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, telecommunications, and others. According to the report, consumer electronics accounted for the largest market share due to increasing utilization of various mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, to access the internet and connect with other people. Additionally, the rising emergence of the internet of things (IoT) and adoption of smart devices across various industry verticals is supporting the growth of the market.

Regional Insights:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others) was the largest market for silicon wafer. Some of the factors driving the Asia Pacific silicon wafer market included the growing production of semiconductors, rising purchases of personal cars and heavy-duty vehicles, increasing manufacturing of solar cells, etc.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the global silicon wafer market. Some of the companies covered in the report include:

• GlobalWafers Singapore Pte. Ltd
• Okmetic Oy
• Shanghai Simgui Technology Co. Ltd.
• Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd
• Silicon Materials, Inc
• Siltronic AG
• SK Siltron Co., Ltd.
• Sumco Corporation
• Tokuyama Corporation
• Virginia Semiconductor, Inc.
• Wafer Works Corporation
   

Please note that this only represents a partial list of companies, and the complete list has been provided in the report.

Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the silicon wafer market from 2018-2032.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global silicon wafer market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the silicon wafer industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.