Exchange rates impacted 2013 market shares in semiconductor chemicals and materials

NEW TRIPOLI, USA: Semiconductor chemicals and materials market leaders continue to holding onto razor thin leadership positions, but exchange rates hurt Japanese competitors, according to the report "Chemicals and Materials for Sub-100 nm IC Manufacturing," recently published by The Information Network.

In 2013, the Yen gained 25 percent against the Dollar, while the Euro gained 3 percent. Market share differences between the top foreign supplier versus the nearest US competitor are shown in the table below.

In semiconductor gases, Air Liquide gained 0.14 percent market share compared to Air Products based on revenue changes between 2012 and 2013. When Air Liquide's revenues were converted to US Dollars, Air Liquide gained 0.98 percent market share

In Liquid Chemicals, BASF gained 0.40 percent market share against KMG Chemicals based on revenues in local currency, but gained 0.94 percent on Dollar revenue.

Japanese companies were severely impacted by Yen appreciation in 2013. SEH gained 0.3 percent market share against SunEdison (MEMC) in local currency, but lost 4.29 percent share in Dollar currency.

The author is president of The Information Network, USA.