Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market

Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market: Description

• The semiconductor wafer fabrication process includes a critical technological procedure called chemical mechanical planarization. Under this procedure, the top surface of the wafer is planarized or polished to produce a flat surface that is flawless. Chemical mechanical planarization plays an important role in manufacture of powerful and faster semiconductor devices.
• Chemical mechanical planarization is commonly used in ultra-flat surface processing in the semiconductor industry.

• The global chemical mechanical planarization market is projected to expand at a CAGR of ~8% over the forecast period.
• As such, the global chemical mechanical planarization market is expected to increase from a value of ~US$ 5 Bn in 2019 to ~US$ 9 Bn by 2027.

Key Growth Drivers of Global Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market

• Consumer electronics is a rapidly changing, highly competitive industry, which covers a wide range of products such as smartphones, computers, televisions, and videogame consoles. A printed circuit board is a core part of a consumer electronic appliance. Chemical mechanical planarization is a polishing process, wherein, the chemical slurry and mechanical polishing processes are used to remove unwanted conductive or dielectric materials on the silicon wafer. This helps achieve a flat and smooth surface, upon which, layers of integrated circuits are built. Thus, advancements in the consumer electronics industry are boosting the chemical mechanical planarization
• Printed circuit boards are extensively used in consumer electronics. Key applications include mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), computers (desktops and laptops), recording devices (camcorders, digital cameras, and microphones), entertainment systems (DVD players and video games), and home appliances (alarm clocks, microwaves, refrigerator, coffee makers, etc.).
• Automobile electronics are electrically generated systems that are employed in road vehicles. Automobile electronics is becoming highly popular owing, to the increase in advancements in technology.
• Automotive electronics enhances engine control and provides high safety, security, and comfort in a vehicle. Advanced automobiles have evolved as electronic machines with several electronic control units (ECUs), which perform operations such as providing driver assistance through the navigation system; offering in-vehicle infotainment through audio-video devices; and enabling the Internet facility.
• Applications of electronics in automobiles include airbags, anti-lock braking systems, black boxes, adaptive cruise control systems, drive-by-wire, satellite radios, telematics, emission control, traction control, automatic parking, in-vehicle entertainment systems, night vision, heads-up displays, backup collision sensors, navigational systems, tire pressure monitors, and climate control systems.
• High-end electronics are used in automobiles to provide vehicle drivers and passengers with in-car navigation, entertainment, and information. Growth in the automotive industry and increase in usage of electronics in the automotive sector are boosting the chemical mechanical planarization market.

Key Challenges in Global Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market

• Defects in chemical mechanical planarization is one of the major yield detractors in IC (integrated circuit) devices. New structures and materials in 7nm devices make it challenging for the chemical mechanical planarization process to meet device requirements. The chemical mechanical planarization process needs to control or contain not only the number of defects, but also defect size in accordance with the scaling speed.
• Issues such as film delamination, scratching, dishing, erosion, and corrosion can lead to defects during the chemical mechanical planarization process. This can adversely affect the yield and reliability. 
• Defects typically formed during the chemical mechanical planarization process include organic residues, water marks, particle adherence and impingement, corrosion pit, and scratches. Types of defects caused by chemical mechanical planarization, such as scratch formation, are critical, as they affect the yield and reliability of the devices.
• Scratches are one of the most commonly generated defects during the chemical mechanical planarization process. Chemical mechanical planarization scratches could cause an initial failure as well as long-term reliability failure. These issues caused by the chemical mechanical planarization process are likely to hamper the global chemical mechanical planarization market during the forecast period.

Lucrative Opportunities for Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market Players

• The planarization method by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is the standard technology used for the manufacture of semiconductor devices.
• Increase in focus on mobility, product features, longer battery life, and Internet of Things (IoT) has led to a rise in the demand for high-performance devices with lower cost and low power consumption. Device scaling has been enabled by advancements in lithography, vertical device integration (3D devices), and architectures such as FinFET and 3D NAND. CMP is a key enabler for the transition from planar to 3D device integration of logic and memory chips, each of which has multiple chemical mechanical planarization passes.
• New and emerging device configurations such as FinFET and 3D memory introduce new materials and new challenges that are not easily solved using the existing technology. New materials, complex interactions with CMP variables, and the need to control uniformity within 10Å across a 300mm wafer (equivalent to 1 hair width variation on a football field) present a need for continuous advancement in CMP product capabilities.
• Cost reduction and scaling is continuing to drive the need for novel technologies, designs, and device architectures such as 3D NAND and 3D FinFETs, where CMP has become the key enabler to facilitate these technologies. Therefore, chemical mechanical polishing is viewed as an enabling technology in integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing.
• Chemical mechanical planarization is a unique technology that allows chip manufacturers to undertake some of the most complex and critical patterning steps. Chemical mechanical planarization has revolutionized the way of manufacturing and processing high-technology semiconductors. Industrial usage of chemical mechanical planarization is anticipated to continue to rise at a steady pace in traditional segments and ever-increasing numbers of new segments. 

Asia Pacific to Dominate Global Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market

• In terms of demand, China has been dominating the chemical mechanical planarization in Asia Pacific since the last few years. The country held ~40% share of the chemical mechanical planarization market in Asia Pacific in 2018. This high share can be ascribed to the expansion in the electronics & semiconductors industry in the country. Increase in chemical mechanical planarization market share of Asia Pacific can be ascribed to extensive electronics and semiconductor production activities in Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
• Germany led the chemical mechanical planarization market in Europe with ~25% share in 2018. Substantial growth of the microelectronics industry is likely to boost the consumption of chemical mechanical planarization in the country during the forecast period. 

Leading Players in Global Chemical Mechanical Planarization Market

• Major players operating in the global chemical mechanical planarization market include Cabot Microelectronics, DuPont Electronic Solutions, and Fujimi Incorporated. These companies consistently develop new global strategies, such as joint ventures and extensive research & development, to expand their capacity and product portfolios, and stay ahead of the competition in the global chemical mechanical planarization market space.