Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market

Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market Outlook (2022 to 2032)

The global chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) market reached US$ 5.4 billion in 2022. Over the next ten years, global chemical mechanical planarization demand will soar at 5.3% CAGR. By 2032, the worldwide market for CMP will hit a valuation of US$ 9.1 billion.

Numerous end users prefer leading-edge technology for various applications. As per Future Market Insights, leading edge segment is set to expand at 5.1% CAGR from 2022 to 2032.

• Booming semiconductor industry worldwide will provide a strong impetus to the global CMP market
• Rising demand for consumer electronics and electric vehicles will boost the market
• Growing adoption of molded interconnect devices (MIDs) and MEMS will support market expansion
• Increasing demand for printed circuit boards (PCBs) from consumer electronics will trigger sales
• Ongoing technological advancements in fabrication and semiconductor processes will stimulate market development
• Increasing popularity of CMP in integrated circuit fabrication is set to trigger sales
• Rising investments in semiconductor wafer fabrication materials is likely to create growth prospects
• Surging usage of integrated circuits (ICs) in automotive, IoT, and 5G will propel CMP demand
• Increasing popularity of oxide-based slurry in CMP will favor market expansion.
• Adoption of CMP in shallow trench isolation will boost CMP consumable and equipment sales
• Growing trend of miniaturization is likely to encourage adoption of CMP technique

Chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) is a high-precision fabrication process used across semiconductor industry. It has become an indispensable technique for fabricating integrated circuits and various other electronic components.

The process of planarizing or smoothing surfaces with the combination of mechanical and chemical forces is known as chemical mechanical planarization or polishing. It is a hybrid of free abrasive polishing and chemical etching.

Chemical mechanical planarization removes excessive materials from substrates such as wafers. It tends to even out any irregular topography thereby making wafer planer or flat. This is done by using CMP equipment and CMP consumables such as slurries and pads.

Chemical mechanical planarization has become an ideal choice for planarizing a wide range of electronic products. To remove material and achieve optimum levels of planarity, this powerful fabrication technique uses chemical oxidation and mechanical abrasion.

CMP is being extensively utilized for removing surface irregularities in silicon wafers, memory discs, and other electronic products. It is one of the crucial steps for achieving die scale planarity and nano-level wafer.

Burgeoning demand for commercial integrated circuits is acting as a catalyst triggering CMP market development. Similarly, high usage of CMP process to planarize a wide range of materials including metal, semiconductors, and dielectrics will boost sales.

Rising adoption of CMP in thriving semiconductor industry is creating growth prospects for the market. As per the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), global semiconductor industry sales reached US$ 574.1 billion in 2022. Hence, rapid rise in production and sales of semiconductors will continue to elevate chemical mechanical planarization demand.

Increasing penetration of advanced technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, and 5G will also boost CMP equipment and consumable sales. Besides this, advancements in fabrication and semiconductor processes to improve the performance of semiconductors will create lucrative growth opportunities for the market.

Asia Pacific will continue to dominate the global chemical mechanical planarization industry. This is due to robust expansion of semiconductor and consumer electronics sectors. Further, presence of leading players such as Hitachi Chemical INC is fueling market expansion in the region.

Besides this, increasing outsourcing of IC fabrication will help Asia Pacific to retain its dominance.

2017 to 2021 Chemical Mechanical Planarization Sales Outlook Compared to Demand Forecast from 2022 to 2032

Global demand for chemical mechanical planarization grew at 6.2% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. From 2022 and 2032, the worldwide CMP market is set to thrive at 5.3% CAGR. It will create an absolute $ opportunity of US$ 3.7 billion through 2032, as per Future Market Insights.

One of the key reasons propelling the chemical mechanical planarization market is the rising usage of the CMP process in the semiconductor sector. This process is being extensively used in the manufacturing of compound semiconductors, ICs, and chips.

Robust expansion of semiconductor industry globally will elevate Chemical mechanical planarization demand. Similarly, high adoption of smartphones and other devices due to governments push for accelerating the digitization process will boost the CMP market.

Which are the Trends Facilitating the Demand for Chemical Mechanical Planarization?

Rising applications in semiconductor industry and the expansion of consumer electronics are key factors increasing CMP demand. The semiconductor industry makes extensive use of chemical mechanical planarization for a variety of purposes, including planarization and metal polishing.

The need for CMP has risen in tandem with the expansion of the semiconductor sector and this has led to market expansion.

With the popularity of smartphones, tablets, and other portable electronic gadgets, demand for consumer electronics has been continuously rising. These technologies significantly rely on the usage of semiconductors, which in turn need CMP for their production.

The polishing pads, equipment, and chemical compositions utilized in chemical mechanical planarization have all improved over time. The creation of novel materials such as copper interconnects and high-k dielectrics has increased the demand for chemical mechanical planarization.

The market will also expand as a result of the usage of CMP in novel applications such as the creation of LED lighting and flat panel displays.

Sudip Saha

Principal Consultant

Talk to Analyst

Find your sweet spots for generating winning opportunities in this market.

Talk to Analyst

Which are the Factors Limiting the Sales in Chemical Mechanical Planarization Industry?

The factors restraining market expansion are the high cost and complexity involved in manufacturing. Chemical mechanical planarization equipment is costly and necessitates specialist maintenance. This makes it challenging for smaller businesses to implement the technology which in turn limits market expansion.

Chemical mechanical planarization is a complex process that requires careful control of multiple parameters. This includes pressure, temperature, slurry composition, and pad conditioning. Any deviation from the optimal parameters can result in defective products and reduced yield.

The slurry used in CMP contains various chemicals, including abrasive particles, oxidizers, and surfactants. These chemicals can be harmful to the environment when not handled properly.

This has led to increased regulatory scrutiny and pressure to develop more environmentally friendly chemical mechanical planarization processes and has restrained market development.

The need for more sophisticated CMP procedures is growing along with the development of semiconductor technology.

Nevertheless, combining CMP with cutting-edge technologies such as 3D IC and nano-electronics necessitates the use of novel materials and processing methods, which are difficult to create and implement and thus result in restraining market growth.

Alternative techniques such as dry etching and plasma polishing are becoming more and more popular. This is because they produce comparable results for less cost and with less environmental impact. Adoption of these alternative techniques might also limit market expansion through 2032.

Country-wise Insights

How is the United States Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market Shaping?

High Adoption of High-precision Fabrication Techniques Propelling CMP Demand in the USA

The USA chemical mechanical planarization market will cross a valuation of US$ 1.4 billion by 2032. It will create an absolute $ growth of US$ 458.4 million over the projection period.

Chemical mechanical planarization demand in the USA increased at 3.2% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. For the next ten years, the United States market is set to thrive at 4.1% CAGR. It will remain a key market for chemical mechanical planarization equipment and consumable manufacturers.

Growing adoption of advanced fabrication techniques in semiconductor industry is driving the USA market. CMP has become a popular fabrication technique across the United States. It is being used to finish and planarize optical substrates, silicon wafers, and other critical microelectronic surfaces.

Burgeoning demand for consumer electronics such as smartphones will boost sales. Further, penetration of digitalization and rise of electric vehicles will impact CMP equipment and consumable sales.

Besides this, heavy presence of leading manufacturing companies is supporting market expansion. Various USA-based companies are using strategies such as acquisitions to gain profits.

For instance, in July 2022, Applied Materials Inc. acquired Picosun. Picosun’s ALD technology significantly expands capabilities of Applied’s ACAP group. It can now address the increased need for innovation in semiconductors for the IoT, communications, automotive, power, and sensor sectors.

How Will Growth Unfold in the United Kingdom Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market?

Growing Demand for Advanced Semiconductors Boosting the United Kingdom CMP industry

The United Kingdom CMP market exhibited 1.8% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. Over the next ten years, CMP demand in the country will increase at 3.7% CAGR. By the end of 2032, the United Kingdom market will cross a valuation of US$ 243 million.

Growth in the market is driven by increasing demand for advanced semiconductors and electronic devices. The United Kingdom market is characterized by the presence of several global players, as well as smaller regional players that specialize in CMP equipment, materials, and services.

The United Kingdom CMP industry is also being pushed by the rising usage of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which require low-power and high-performance chips.

As more gadgets connect to the internet and grow dependent on cutting-edge chip technology to operate, CMP market in the country will expand at a steady pace.

Will China Retain its Monopoly in the Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market?

Robust Expansion of Semiconductor Industry Triggering CMP Equipment and Consumable Sales in China

As per Future Market Insights, China will retain its dominance in the global CMP market. China chemical mechanical planarization market is set to cross US$ 2.3 billion mark by 2032. It will generate an absolute $ growth of US$ 1.1 billion.

From 2017 to 2021, China market expanded at a CAGR of 8.3%. Over the projection period, it will rise at a robust CAGR of 6.7%. Rapid expansion of semiconductor sector will boost sales in China.

Due to the rising demand for semiconductors and electronic products, CMP market in China has expanded quickly in recent years. The creation of high-quality and high-performance devices is made possible by the key process of CMP. It is utilized in the semiconductor industry to polish and planarize surfaces.

Growing demand for high-quality polished wafers in the semiconductor and electronics sectors will boost China CMP market. The need for CMP tools and materials is set to rise as China keeps making investments in its local semiconductor business, opening up prospects for both domestic and foreign market participants.

Category-wise Insights

Why is Demand for CMP Consumables Rising in the Market?

High Usage of CMP Consumables During CMP Process Fueling Demand

Based on type, the market has been segmented into CMP equipment and CMP consumables. Among these, CMP consumables segment will generate lucrative revenues through 2032. This is due to rising usage of CMP consumables during planarization or polishing process.

Chemical mechanical planarization consumable segment grew at 6% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. Over the next ten years, it is forecast to rise to around 5.2% CAGR. This will make it a top-revenue generation segment.

CMP slurries and CMP pads are among the most commonly used consumables in the planarization process. They are being used in CMP process in the semiconductor industry to polish and flatten silicon wafers.

By using a slurry and polishing pad, a wafer surface is polished for planarization during the CMP process. They have become ideal agents for planarizing numerous advanced electronic products.

Liquid dispersions containing active chemicals and micro abrasive grains used in CMP are known as CMP slurries. These slurries play a key role in planarization process. They are being extensively utilized for removing surface irregularities in optical substrates, silicon wafers, memory discs, and other electronic products.

Which is the Most Popular Technology in the Chemical Mechanical Planarization Industry?

Leading Edge Remains the Most Popular CMP Technology

As per Future Market Insights, leading edge remains the most widely used technology. This is due to rising adoption of this technology for manufacturing advanced or sophisticated electronic components.

Leading edge CMP enables companies to develop cutting-edge products such as compound semiconductors and MEMS. The leading-edge technology segment grew at 5.8% from 2017 to 2021. For the next ten years, the target segment is likely to expand at 5.1% CAGR.

Competitive Landscape

Leading players are aiming at developing advanced chemical mechanical equipment. They are also adopting strategies such as mergers, partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions to stay ahead of the competition.

Recent Developments:

• In September 2020, an innovative solution for chemical delivery systems that are important to the semiconductor industry was introduced by Entegris.
• In July 2022, the acquisition of CMC Materials was completed by Entegris. With this acquisition, Entegris now offers a complete range in the market. It will also provide improved operational capabilities for applications in the fab environment and throughout the semiconductor ecosystem.
• In December 2022, to accelerate development of the world's most advanced computer chips, Applied Materials Inc. introduced new "cold field emission" technology. The new technology increases nanoscale picture resolution by up to 50% and imaging speed by up to 10X while operating at ambient temperature. Leading chip manufacturers can quickly create and market new 3D Gate-All-Around logic transistors and next-generation DRAM and NAND memory devices with the help of CFE eBeam technology.
• In March 2020, for advanced packaging solutions Ultra SFP ap tool was introduced by ACM Research Inc. It is designed to address yield issues associated with fan-out wafer-level packaging (FOWLP) and through-silicon via (TSV).

Scope of the Report

Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market Segmentation

By Type:

• CMP Consumable
• CMP Equipment

By Technology:

• Leading Edge
• More than Moore’s
• Emerging

By Application:

• Integrated Circuits
• MEMS and NEMS
• Compound Semiconductors
• Optics

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa