Semiconductor chemicals and materials market growing 6.1 percent in 2014

NEW TRIPOLI, USA: With chip sales growing 4.5 percent in 2014 and equipment revenues increasing 10.9 percent, chemicals and materials for making the chips will grow 6.1 percent in 2014,

The worldwide market for chemicals and materials for semiconductor manufacturing grew 2.1 percent in 2013 and is projected to grow another 6.1 percent in 2014 and remain flat in 2015.

In the chemical sector, BASF led in 2013, well ahead of KMG Chemicals. JSR kept its lead in the resist market well ahead of TOK. Air Products led in the gases market, ahead of Air Liquide. The market leader in the wafer sector, in which SEH and Sumco tied for first place in 2012, is too close to call at this time.

The total cost of chemicals and materials is $2.19 per square inch (SI) of silicon. For individual categories, sputtering target costs are the lowest at $0.061 per SI.

The Proprietary Leading Indicators (PLIs) are pointing to continued growth in the semiconductor market, which indirectly translates to growth in the chemicals and materials markets.