Thin slices of either pure or doped silicon are cut from silicon ingots to form silicon wafers. Through thinning operations, their thicknesses, which range from a few millimetres to a few microns, can be adjusted depending on the application. They are widely utilised in gas sensors, smart home sensors, computers, wearables, tablets, and smartphones.
Many electronic gadgets on the market today, including laptops, cellphones, computers, etc., continue to employ ICs and other semiconductors made of silicon-based materials. Although silicon continues to dominate the market for consumer electronics in terms of its major applications, new materials have taken the place of older substrates and packaging in a few applications.
According to Business Research Insights, the semiconductor silicon wafer market size is expected to reach 12.22 Billion in 2024 and is anticipated to have a CAGR of 14%. The market leading players are Siltronic AG, SK Siltron Co. Ltd, Shin-Etsu Handotai, SUMCO Corporation, Globalwafers Co. Ltd.
The Pandemic Disrupted the Supply Chain of the Market
The Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) predicts that the market for silicon wafers may experience a decline due to the looming ambiguity around COVID-19's effects. On the other hand, demand increased as a result of recovering chip sales. Additionally, according to SEMI, silicon wafer shipments will set a new global record in 2022. The production and supply chains in China were hampered by the initial COVID-19 outbreak. Due to China becoming a major global production hub during the past two to three decades, major semiconductor manufacturing businesses have been severely impacted.
Business Research Insights States Top 5 Semiconductor Silicon Wafer Market Companies-
1. Global Wafers Co. (China)
The largest manufacturer of 3" to 12" silicon wafers in Taiwan, GlobalWafers Co., Ltd. has a full production line that includes ingot growth, slicing, etching, diffusion, polishing, and epitaxy. Epi wafers, polished wafers, etched wafers, ultra-thin wafers, and deep diffusion wafers are some of our high-value goods. GlobalWafers has won appreciation from both domestic and international clients for its expertise consulting, mutual development, and after service. Applications for products have been expanded to include power management, automotive, IT, and MEMS.
2. SUMCO Corporation (Japan)
A Japanese semiconductor company called SUMCO Corporation creates silicon wafers for semiconductor producers all around the world. After Shin-Etsu Handotai, the company was founded in 1999 as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and Sumitomo Metal Industries. As of 2013, it held a 30% market share and was the world's second-largest producer of silicon wafers. Despite a persistent global chip shortage, Sumco declared that it would invest JPY 228.7 billion (USD 2.05 billion) to enhance the production of cutting-edge 300 mm silicon wafers for semiconductors. The investment would increase Japan's competitiveness in the chipmaking materials industry, which has prospered despite the country's declining semiconductor and home electronics industries.
3. Makers Nutrition (U.S.)
The largest chemical company in Japan is Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., which is placed No. 9 in Forbes Global 2000 for the chemical industry. For substrates made of polyvinyl chloride, semiconductor silicon, and photomasks, Shin-Etsu holds the biggest market share worldwide. Silicon for semiconductors, organic materials, rare earth magnets for the electronics sector, and photoresist goods are the main outputs of the sector.
4. SK Siltron (South Korea)
SK siltron is the only Korean business that offers sophisticated solutions for defect-free crystals, particle control down to 20 nm, and super flat surface control. SK siltron collaborates with worldwide semiconductor producers to provide cutting-edge wafers for research. In response to increased demand from global chipmakers, the SK Group's silicon wafer unit intended to expand wafer production facilities. SK Siltron is considering the construction of a new wafer factory. The new SK Siltron factory will very certainly be erected on the same site as the previous SK Hynix M9 production line.
5. Siltronic AG (Germany)
The hyperpure silicon wafers produced by Siltronic AG serve as the foundation for contemporary micro- and nanotechnology. One of the top producers of wafers for the semiconductor industry worldwide is the Munich-based business. The company's two German production facilities in Burghausen and Freiberg, as well as facilities in Asia and the USA, all produce silicon wafers with a maximum diameter of 300 mm. The business belongs to the Silicon Saxony association and industry group.
Introduction of Wearable Devices and Gadgets by Manufacturers to Pose Opportunity
The development of wearable technology will provide market suppliers tremendous growth potential. Industrial wearables, which improve safety and quality in the processing industry, may have a sizable market, according to Siemens. By 2022, wearables are anticipated to be adopted by 40–50% of manufacturers worldwide, thus according Zebra Technologies Corporation. Additionally, the requirement for more features from a single device has increased growing demands for small-sized gadgets. This suggests that in order to offer more functionality, an IC device should now have more transistors.