SAN JOSE, USA: The market for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), which includes products such as automobile airbag systems, display systems and inkjet cartridges totaled $40 billion in 2006, and is likely to top $72 billion by 2011, according to Global MEMS/Microsystems Markets and Opportunities, a comprehensive new market research report from SEMI and Yole Développement.

The MEMS devices at the heart of these systems totaled $5.9 billion in 2006, and are projected to grow to $10.8 billion by 2011, with a CAGR of 13 percent, fueled by increasing use in consumer electronics. MEMS devices are defined as die-level components of first-level packaging, and include pressure sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, microphones, digital mirror displays, micro fluidic devices, etc.

Global Markets and Forecasts for MEMS Systems, Devices, Materials and Equipment

Source: Yole Développement

The materials and equipment used to manufacture MEMS devices topped $1 billion in 2006, with MEMS materials forecasted to grow at CAGR of 13 percent, while MEMS equipment is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 9 percent through 2011. Materials demand is driven by substrates, making up over 70 percent of the market, packaging coatings and increasing use of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP). While MEMS manufacturing continues to be dominated by used semiconductor equipment, there is a migration to 200 mm lines and select new tools, including etch and bonding for certain MEMS applications.

Lubab Sheet, senior director of Emerging Technologies at SEMI, said: "MEMS is proving to be a very versatile technology, replacing a number of incumbent technologies in consumer electronics. Traditional MEMS devices are also finding an increasingly broad implementation in consumer applications. Much of this high volume demand is being served by foundries, increasingly on 8-inch wafers. However, there are still some manufacturing challenges such as stiction and packaging, both of which create opportunities for equipment and materials suppliers."

The report was created by Yole Développement in co-operation with and support from SEMI. A presentation highlighting key report findings will be made by Jean-Christophe Eloy, founder and managing director of Yole Développement on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 2pm at the Emerging Technologies & Markets TechXPOT at SEMICON West 2007 in San Francisco, California.