Silicon Wafers Market Information By Wafer Size (0 - 100 mm, 100 - 200 mm, 200 - 300 mm, and More than 300 mm), By Type (N-type, and P-type), By Application (Solar Cells, Photoelectric Cells, Integrated Circuits, and Others), By End User (Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Industrial, Telecommunications, and Others), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)—Forecast till 2030

Global Silicon Wafers Market Research (MRFR Insights)

The silicon wafers market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2030. As per the market research, the major factors that drive the market growth include increasing vehicle demand and manufacturing, which has steadily posed a positive effect. Due to the higher demands for vehicles and manufacturing, the shift has turned towards EV and hybrid vehicles. According to the market report, other factors include the development and establishment of new and enhanced technologies in the domain of the automotive sector. When the automotive sector expanded, it provided an auto-driving associate anti-braking system within the vehicles. These novations demonstrate to resume the drive for silicon wafers. Hence these factors help market growth go ahead during the forecast period. The silicon wafers market size is expected to reach approximately USD 15.24 billion by 2030.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

As per the market overview, the COVID-19 pandemic has hugely affected the electronics and semiconductor industries. Several business and manufacturing divisions were closed in several countries. Moreover, the partial or complete lockdown has affected the supply chain and created difficulties for businesses to contact their customers.

Silicon Wafers Market Dynamics

The market dynamics include the growing demand for high-performance electronic devices. Increased business growth and rising living standards have increased the demand for smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices. Silicon wafers are used to manufacture semiconductors, which are the building blocks of modern electrical devices. These wafers are extremely clean and impurity-free, making them an excellent substrate for modern semiconductors. They are used to create microchips, chips, and integrated circuits (ICs), used in various electronic products.

Market Drivers

• Deepening 5G Technology Penetration

Globally, businesses are shifting towards 5G connectivity to enhance operational efficiency and increase transaction volumes. 5G networks deliver 20 times faster speeds and decreased download times, thus creating them suitable for applications in various industries, including automotive and smart city development. Semiconductor wafers established using Gallium Nitride (GaN) are anticipated to become highly recognized, with the capability to complete a power-added efficiency (PAE) of 50% or more than it. This acts as a silicon wafer market driver over the forecast period.

• Technological advancements in consumer electronics.

Market Restraints:

• Low Chances of Repair or Re-fabrication

As per the market research, the integrated circuit functions as a compiled set of electronic units established on semiconductors such as silicon. Thus, it acts as a compact unit including different electronic components, which decreases the size and intricate component assembly in any electronic device. Thus, if one element in the IC chip fails, the complete IC chip is needed to be replaced, and it is inconceivable to improve or modify the circuit, thereby increasing the maintenance price of the devices.

• Rising environmental concerns to hamper the market

Market Opportunities:

• High demand for silicon wafers across vehicular safety

With process automation growing inroads in the automotive industry, the popularity of self-driving vehicles is garnering credible momentum. The numerous complex chips governing the functioning of all systems must be protected against electrical faults, which could undermine advanced features such as collision avoidance.

• Growing investments in the development of the silicon wafers industry

Segment Overview

By Wafer Size Insights

Based on wafer size, the market segmentation has been divided into 0 - 100 mm, 100 - 200 mm, 200 - 300 mm, and more than 300 mm. The silicon wafers market growth was prominently high under the 100 - 200 mm category in 2021. Technology applications include iPhone X's face recognition unlocking and several other technologies. Besides this, the 200 - 300 mm was the fastest growing category as numerous manufacturers introduced larger-sized silicon wafers to power highly advanced technological devices.

By Type Insights

By type, the market segmentation has been categorized into N-type and P-type. The N-type category had a prominent share in 2021 due to reducing LID (Light Induced Degradation) & increasing durability and performance. Besides this, the P-type was the fastest-growing category as it helped make the cell positively charged.

By Application Insights

By application, the market has been categorized into solar cells, photoelectric cells, integrated circuits, and others. In 2021 the integrated circuits category held a major market share owing to the growing demand for the smartphone. However, solar cells were the fastest growing category as a silicon wafer is thermally stable in solar cells.

By End-User Insights

By end-user, the market has been segmented into consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, telecommunications, and others. In 2021, the consumer electronics category held a prominent market share due to increasing silicon wafer applications in the consumer electronics market. Besides, telecommunications was the fastest-growing category owing to the growing demand for silicon wafers in mobile phones.

Global Silicon Wafers Market Share by Region, 2021 (%)

Silicon Wafers Market Overview, By Region

As per the silicon wafers market forecast, the market has been divided into North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. North America accounted for the most extensive market share. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

North America

According to the market report, North America held a prominent market share in 2021 as fabless semiconductor firms are the major customers for semiconductor foundries and wafer players. Fabless enterprises make chip structures exclusively and market them without a fabrication plant. Furthermore, the major fabless enterprises in the region are AMD, Broadcom, Apple, Marvell, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and Xilinx. North America has presented a critical role in developing semiconductor system design and manufacturing. The region has been noticing increased activity in launching semiconductor wafer foundries. For instance, TSMC announced that it would expend a total of USD 12 billion from 2021 to 2029 to create a 12-inch wafer plant to simulate chips utilizing the advanced 5 nm process.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific was the fastest-growing region in 2021 due to rising consumer electronics demand in China. The Chinese automotive industry is the largest in the globe. High automotive device sales volumes have aggrandized semiconductor wafers applications across the industry. Furthermore, it is also the world's largest EV market, a primary application area for semiconductor wafers in the future.

Silicon Wafers Market Competitive Landscape

The competitive market landscape includes tier-1, tier-2, and local players. The tier-1 and tier-2 players have reach with diverse product portfolios. Companies including Addison Engineering Inc., Wafers Co. Ltd., Lanco Infratech Ltd., Okmetic Oy, and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. dominate the Silicon Wafersmarket owing to financial stability, product differentiation, strategic developments, and diversified regional presence. The major players are concentrating on supporting research and development. Moreover, they embrace strategic growth initiatives, such as development, product launch, joint ventures, and partnerships, to strengthen their position in the market and capture an enhanced customer base. For instance, in June 2022, Taiwan's Wafers Co Ltd announced spending USD 5 billion on a unique plant in Texas to make 300-millimeter silicon wafers used in semiconductors. With the chip shortage and ongoing geopolitical crises, Wafers is taking this opportunity to address the resiliency of the United States semiconductor supply chain.

Prominent players in the silicon wafers market research include Siltronic AG, SK Siltron Co. Ltd., SUMCO Corp., Virginia Semiconductor Inc., and Wafer World Inc., among others.

Scope of the Silicon Wafers Market Report Segmentation

Silicon Wafers Wafer Size Outlook

• 0 - 100 mm


• 100 - 200 mm


• 200 - 300 mm


• More than 300 mm

 Silicon Wafers Type Outlook

• N-type


• P-type

 Silicon Wafers Application Outlook

• Solar Cells


• Integrated Circuits


• Photoelectric Cells


• Others

 Silicon Wafers End-User Outlook

• Consumer Electronics


• Automotive


• Industrial


• Telecommunications


• Others

 Silicon Wafers Region Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  • Mexico
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • Australia and New Zealand
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • South America
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  
  

Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are summarized in 5 stages. They are as mentioned below:

Silicon Wafers Market Forecast & Size:

To identify and estimate the market size for the silicon wafers market segmented by wafer size, type application, and end-user by value (in US dollars). Also, to understand the consumption/ demand created by consumers with silicon wafers market forecast between 2022 and 2030.

Market Landscape and Trends:

To identify and infer the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges for the growth of silicon wafers

Market Influencing Factors:

To find out the factors which are affecting the silicon wafers market size among consumers

Impact of COVID-19:

To identify and understand the various factors involved in the silicon wafers market affected by the pandemic

Company Profiling:

To provide a detailed insight into the major companies operating in the market. The profiling will include the financial health of the company's past 2-3 years with segmental and regional revenue breakup, product offering, recent developments, SWOT analysis, and key strategies.

Intended Audience

• Silicon Wafers Manufacturers


• Raw Material Suppliers


• Retailers, Wholesalers, and Distributors


• Governments, Associations, and Industrial Bodies


• Investors and Trade Experts