According to the Market Statsville Group (MSG), the global semiconductor gases market size is expected to grow from USD 9.0 billion in 2022 to USD 17.9 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2023 to 2033. In the global context, semiconductor gases have been a key enabler of the semiconductor industry. Gases have unique properties that make them desirable materials for building ever more complicated semiconductor devices, such as ease of transport and storage, ease of dispensing with high accuracy, and, most importantly, ease of controlling desired chemical reactions at the molecular level. Thus, these processed gases are utilized throughout each manufacturing stage, ranging from growing single crystal silicon to every wafer fabrication step, including oxidation, chemical vapor, deposition, sputtering, resist, etch, thermal diffusion, and ion implantation. A consistent supply of high-purity gases is integral to advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Manufacturing an integrated circuit needs over 30 distinct process gases for etching, oxidation, deposition, doping, and inserting applications. Hence, the range of gases consumed is broader than in virtually any other industry, which, in turn, expands the scope of the semiconductor gas market.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Semiconductor Gases Market

The demand for the semiconductor gases market is significantly reduced during COVID-19 due to the fewer investments by government and private players in semiconductor manufacturing, which results in cutbacks in such business lines. Thus, it can be defined as the recent outbreak of the novel COVID-19 disease considerably dropping the consumption of semiconductor gases, thereby hampering the market growth considering the global scenario. Besides, the epidemic has abandoned an unprecedented crisis for nations and manufacturing businesses worldwide. This has often resulted in lockdowns and business shutdowns across many countries globally, which has compelled workers/individuals to stay at home to control the spread of the epidemic. In addition, the current crisis has underlined the potential risks and vulnerability of today’s electronics and semiconductor value chain, subsequently challenging the companies operating in the semiconductor and electronics industry to consider transforming their global supply chain model. Combined with the global shutdowns and disruptions in global semiconductor gases, public and private companies delayed their investment or spending for expanding semiconductor manufacturing plants. This, in turn, is expected to limit the growth of the global semiconductor gas market.

Global Semiconductor Gases Market Dynamics

Drivers: Growing Usage of Semiconductor Gases in the Electrical and Electronic Industry

In the present scenario, semiconductor gas has wide applications in improving the performance of electrical and electronic devices. Printed circuit boards (PCBs), microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), memory devices, integrated chips, LED solid-state lighting, and semiconductor devices are the few vital elements required to build an electronic device. Moreover, clean energy, predominantly solar PV, is also evolving as a prominent source of clean energy generation, thus increasingly being incorporated into numerous electronic devices. Thus, the increasing preference for renewable energy, particularly solar photovoltaic devices, is fostering the demand for semiconductor gases owing to the high consumption in the manufacturing process.

Moreover, it is increasingly used in electronic components, such as transistors and modern connectors. High-quality semiconductor gases have wide applications in electronic semiconductor manufacturing to regulate these operations cleanly and efficiently. Thus, these gases substantially reduce manufacturing costs, which is poised to raise their implementation over the forecast period. Further, semiconductor gases enable electronic wafers to develop oxide, nitride, and poly films to change the semiconductor's electrical properties. Nitrogen and argon are the most remarkable gases used in the electronic industry. Helium is also used as refrigerant gas in the electronic semiconductor industry.

Restraints: Individual Risks Concerning the Gases During Semiconductor Manufacturing

Nowadays, semiconductor manufacturing facilities employ a number of toxic gases in their fabrication processes. Thus, these gases are considered to be one of the basic and integral materials in the semiconductor industry to meet the growing demand for better-quality semiconductor devices. However, these gases need to be stored, distributed, or used precisely in the semiconductor manufacturing processes, as they may cause potential hazards to the facility and its workers. The primary hazards of these gases are fire, explosion, and contamination, resulting in unscheduled preventative maintenance and product loss. These gases must be continuously supervised to ensure the safety and health of employees, protect property, as well as to maintain regulatory compliance.  

Opportunities: Rising Demand for Led and Solar (PV) Reinforced the Demand for Semiconductor Gases

Since the last few years, the application of LED has been limited to certain specific lighting needs and had not come into the mainstream general lighting applications. Stringent regulations to limit or ban the use of inefficient lighting technologies and government rebate and retrofit programs to promote the deployment of LED lighting also contribute to the higher demand for semiconductor gases. Thus, LED manufacturers are taking the initiative to promote the growing semiconductor industry and turn greater attention to using semiconductor gases. This is due to the fact that semiconductor gases have improved thermal and electrical properties. Further, the semiconductor has also gained significant demand and wide popularity in solar (PV), owing to the inherent features such as high current & voltage holding capacity, high operational temperatures, and wide bandgap. This will further create huge demand for semiconductor gases in solar PV since it enables wafers to alter semiconductor electrical properties, as well as ensures a reduced footprint and can resist extremely hot temperatures.

Scope of the Global Semiconductor Gases Market

The study categorizes the semiconductor gases market based on type, process and application area at the regional and global levels.

By Type Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• Bulk Gases
  • Nitrogen
  • Oxygen
  • Argon
  • Helium
  • Hydrogen
  • Carbon-di-oxide
• Electronic Special Gases (ESGs)
  • Chlorine
  • Ammonia
  • Silicon
  • Others

By Process Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• Chamber Cleaning
• Oxidation
• Deposition
• Etching
• Doping
• Others

By Application Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• Semiconductor Component
• PCBs
• Displays
• Solar (PV)
• LED
• Others

By Region Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Czech Republic
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • Singapore
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Rest of South America
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Northern Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Electronic special gases segment accounts for the largest market share by type

Based on the type, the market is bifurcated into bulk gases and special electronic gases. The bulk gases segment is further segmented into oxygen, nitrogen, argon helium, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Additionally, the electronic special gases segment is bifurcated into chlorine, ammonia, silicon, and others. The electronic special gases segment accounts for a larger revenue share in 2022 owing to the growing demand for nitrogen fluoride and other gases in electronic industries. Moreover, the transformation towards producing advanced edge semiconductors with less than 5-micrometer sizes demands chemicals and gas, creating lucrative market demand.

Asia Pacific is projected to account for the highest market share by Region

Based on the regions, the global semiconductor gases market has been segmented across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest market share in 2022, owing to the high adoption of semiconductor gases in the automotive, buildings & construction industries. The region is expected to project the fastest CAGR in the global market during the forecast period. The increase in digitization in developing countries such as China and India and rapid urbanization are major factors responsible for the semiconductor gas market’s growth in Asia Pacific region.

Key Market Players in the Global Semiconductor Gases Market

The semiconductor gases market is extremely cutthroat, and significant competitors in the sector are using strategies including product launches, partnerships, acquisitions, agreements, and growth to enhance their market positions. Most sector businesses focus on increasing their operations worldwide and cultivating long-lasting partnerships.

Major key players in the global semiconductor gases market are:

• Indiana Oxygen
• Iwatani Corporation
• Linde plc
• Messer Group
• Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
• Colfax Corporation
• Gruppo SIAD
• REC Silicon ASA
• Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Company, Ltd.
• Air Liquide SA
• Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
• American Gas Products (AGP)
• Solvay SA

Recent Developments

• In November 2020, Iwatani Corporation began a study into the production of green hydrogen, liquefaction, and import, with the goals of launching the business with Australian power company Stanwell and building a large-scale hydrogen supply chain in the future.
• In February 2021, Air Liquide Japan signed a memorandum of understanding with Itochu Corporation (Itochu) to collaborate on introducing hydrogen mobility markets in Japan.
• In June 2021, Air Liquide and Severstal prolonged their partnership with a new long-term contract in the foremost oxygen site in continental Europe. This new contract will further strengthen long-term earnings for the company.

Key Issues Addressed

• What is the market size by various segmentation of the semiconductor gases by region and its respective countries?
• What are the customer buying behavior, key takeaways, and Porter's 5 forces of the semiconductor gases market?
• What are the key opportunities and trends for manufacturers involved in the semiconductor gases supply chain?
• What are the fundamental dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) of the market?
• What and how regulations, schemes, patents, and policies are impacting the growth of the market?
• What are the upcoming technological solutions influencing market trends? How will existing companies adapt to the new change in technology?
• The market player positioning, top winning strategies by years, company product developments, and launches will be?
• How has COVID-19 impacted the demand and sales of semiconductor gases in the global market? Also, the expected BPS drop or rise count of the market and market predicted recovery period.
• Detailed analysis of the competitors and their latest launch, and what are the prominent startups introduced in the target market? Also, detailed company profiling of 25+ leading and prominent companies in the market.