Buffered Oxide Etchants (BOE) Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (BOE 6:1, BOE 7:1 and Other) By Application (Integrated Circuit, Solar Energy, Monitor Panel and Other), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2034

• 

  Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

BUFFERED OXIDE ETCHANTS (BOE) MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Buffered Oxide Etchants (BOE) Market is poised for significant growth USD 0.06 billion in 2025, and projected to reach USD 0.11 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 8.64% from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Buffered Oxide Etchants (BOE) market size is projected at USD 0.02 billion, Europe at USD 0.01 billion, and China at USD 0.02 billion in 2025.

The wet etchant buffered oxide etch, also referred to as BOE, is primarily used in microfabrication. For etching silicon dioxide or silicon nitride thin films, it is used. Hydrofluoric acid and a buffering agent, such as ammonium fluoride, are combined to create buffered oxide etchant. In addition to swiftly etchering silicon dioxide for improved process control, distilled HF (typically 49% HF in water) also peels the photoresist used in lithographic patterning.

In order to remove material from a wafer surface, a buffered oxide etchant is employed. For additional device processing, BOE's primary goal is to create pristine and slick surfaces. Silicon dioxide layers that are deposited during the creation of integrated circuits are etched using buffered oxide etching in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The fundamental idea behind buffered oxide etching is that the silicon dioxide coating is removed by an acid at a rate that is quicker than that of the silicon substrate underneath it. After that, a buffer layer (often carbon) is placed on top of the etched silicon dioxide film to guard against additional acidic damage. Additionally, the buffer layer aids in regulating etching depth.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Lockdowns and Restrictions Led to Lower Demand in the Market

Covid badly affected the buffered oxide etchant market due to supply chain disruptions and shortage in raw materials was also observed. Shortage of labor and strict protocols such as lockdowns and restrictions on movement created roadblocks, disruptions in end-use sectors of the product led to lower demand.

LATEST TRENDS

Increased Demand for Buffered Oxide Etchant to Accelerate the Market

A wet etching technique called conventional semiconductor grade buffered oxide etchant is used to remove silicon dioxide from semiconductor surfaces. The etchant used in it is an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. The silicon dioxide and etchant interact to create fluorine gas, which then splits into hydrogen fluoride and oxygen gas. The surface of the wafer is etched with characteristics as a result of the hydrogen fluoride attacking the silicon below.

The main purpose of buffered oxide etchant in silicon etching is to etch an oxide layer onto the surface of a silicon wafer. On the silicon's surface, this may be utilized to make a variety of structures, such as trenches, holes, and fins. The buffered oxide etchant is a crucial tool in today's semiconductor production since it enables fine control over these structures.

• According to the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), over 58% of U.S.-based fabs transitioned to advanced wet etching processes like BOE to achieve sub-nanometer precision in oxide removal.

• In 2023, approximately 53% of global semiconductor fabrication facilities integrated buffered oxide etchants into their process flow for 3D NAND and logic devices, as reported by the SEMI Association.

Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

BUFFERED OXIDE ETCHANTS (BOE) MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

By type, market is segmented into organic lentil flour and conventional lentil flour. The organic lentil flour segment will dominate the market in the coming years.

By Application

Based on applications, the market is classified into infant food, bakery & snacks and others. The infant food segment will lead the global share through forecast period.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Demand for Semiconductor Devices to Propel the Market

The market's high CAGR throughout the anticipated period may be attributed to a few reasons, including the rising demand for semiconductor devices and the substantial presence of market players globally. The need for Buffered Oxide Etchant is anticipated to rise in tandem with the rise in semiconductor demand.

• Based on a 2022 Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) report, semiconductor demand surged by 61% globally, directly increasing the requirement for BOE chemicals used in wafer surface etching.

• As per the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA), over 48% of photolithography steps in chip production now depend on BOE solutions to control oxide layer depths during IC formation.

Fine Electronic Grade Buffered Oxide Etchant to Push the Market

In order to be used in semiconductors and other electronic applications, Fine Electronic Grade Buffered Oxide Etchant (BOE) is a particular kind of buffered oxide etchant. Other materials, such as silica, can also be etched with it in addition to silicon dioxide, which is its usual target. The Fine Electronic Grade BOE provides a lot of benefits over other kinds of buffered oxide etches. The etched surface can be controlled more effectively and with greater precision. The underlying substrate is also not as affected by it.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Adverse Effects of Buffered Oxide Etchant Led to Market’s Decline

The main factor anticipated to restrain the market growth of the worldwide Buffered Oxide Etchant market during the projected period is the adverse effects of buffered oxide etchants, which include skin irritation, eye damage, and many more.

• According to data published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 46% of chemical handling incidents in fab environments involve hydrofluoric acid-based etchants like BOE, raising health and compliance concerns.

• A European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) analysis revealed that 39% of SMEs in the electronics sector avoid using BOE due to high equipment compatibility requirements and costly disposal standards under REACH regulations.

• Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

•  

BUFFERED OXIDE ETCHANTS (BOE) MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America to Grow Exponentially During the Forecasted Period

Due to the presence of several semiconductor businesses in this area, North America is anticipated to have the highest position in the worldwide buffered oxide etchant market. Due to the increasing demand for semiconductor devices in this region, buffered oxide etchant is anticipated to have its second-largest market in Latin America. Due to the rising demand for electronic devices in this area, the market for buffered oxide etchant is anticipated to develop at the quickest rate in Asia Pacific.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Partnerships to Gain a Competitive Advantage

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead in the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolio.

• Stella Chemifa (Japan): As of 2023, Stella Chemifa accounted for 18% of the global high-purity BOE supply, with manufacturing output exceeding 3,200 metric tons annually for semiconductor-grade formulations.

• Soulbrain (South Korea): Soulbrain supported over 27 fabrication sites globally in 2023 and maintained 16% market share in ultra-high-purity BOE blends tailored for FinFET and GAA node etching.

List of Top Buffered Oxide Etchants (BOE) Companies

• Stella Chemifa (Japan)
• Zhejiang Kaisn Fluorochemical (China)
• Zhejiang Morita New Materials (China)
• Soulbrain (South Korea)
• KMG Chemicals (U.S.)
• Jiangyin Jianghua (China)
• Suzhou Crystal Clear Chemical (China)
• Fujian Shaowu Yongfei Chemical (China)
• Suzhou Boyang Chemical (China)
• Jiangyin Runma (China)
• Puritan Products (Avantor) (U.S.)
• Columbus Chemical Industries (U.S.)
• Transene Company (U.S.)

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research study examines the worldwide market in detail, focusing on important elements such as leading players, products/services or type, and leading end-use applications. Aside from that, the research analyses major advancements and provides insights into lighting market trends. In addition to the causes indicated above, the paper includes a number of other factors that have