according to the forecast of TECHCET, the semiconductor electronic gas market will grow by nearly 10% in 2024 to reach $6.59 billion, close to the market size in 2022. Due to multiple factors, the entire industry will be sluggish in 2023, and the market size will drop by nearly 12%, and this rebound will follow. It is expected to maintain stable growth through 2028.
NF3 (nitrogen trifluoride) is one of the fastest-growing segments and is expected to grow by 18% in 2024 and register a CAGR of 20% from 2023 to 2028. NF3 demand will outstrip capacity, but diluting N2 with an alternative F2 will help replace some of the demand in response to sustainability initiatives. The exact timing is unknown, but it has been reported that at least one large Taiwanese multinational foundry has adopted an alternative F2-diluted N2 for the thermal deposition process.
Geopolitical tensions have increased gas procurement and logistics risks, leading China and many other countries to focus on developing domestic and/or local sourcing to enhance business continuity planning. For example, several countries are implementing their own ASUs (Air Separation Units) to produce the noble gases xenon, neon, and krypton. Helium prices have also been volatile due to the disruption of trade between Russia and the West.
There is a growing call from the industry to reduce the environmental impact of semiconductor production. There is information that at least one new plant will be equipped with significant infrastructure to recover "all" argon. In addition, SK Hynix and EFC Gases & Advanced Materials both announced the development of neon recovery systems. SK Hynix's technology was developed in collaboration with TEMC, while EFC's technology is certified by Cymer. Samsung also announced that it will use recycled gas in chip manufacturing starting in 2025.
figure:electronic gas market forecast
On the other hand, global semiconductor equipment sales in the first quarter of 2024 fell by 2% year-on-year.
The International Semiconductor Industry Association (SEMI) announced in the global semiconductor equipment market statistics report that the global semiconductor equipment turnover in the first quarter of 2024 shrank by 2% year-on-year to $26.4 billion, while the quarter-on-quarter turnover decreased by 6% over the same period. "Despite the slight decline in global semiconductor equipment sales, the semiconductor industry as a whole remains vibrant, and corporate investment and demand for advanced technologies will catalyze the return to growth of the semiconductor equipment market," said the CEO of SEMI. ”
