Semiconductor Chemicals Market By Type (Acid & Base Chemicals, High Performance Polymers, Solvents, Adhesives, Others); By End User (Integrated Circuits, Optoelectronics, Discrete Semiconductor, Sensors); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2032.

The Global Semiconductor Chemicals Market is projected to grow from $14.3 billion in 2024 to $28.8 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period. The market growth is driven by the rising electronics demand, EV adoption, advanced chip manufacturing, government support, and eco-friendly innovations.

 

Semiconductor Chemicals Market Dynamics:

Market Drivers

The semiconductor industry is experiencing a significant surge in demand. According to a report from the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics, the sector saw an estimated 19% growth in 2024, with total sales reaching $627 billion. For 2025, WSTS forecasts an additional 11.2% growth, pushing sales to an estimated $697 billion. A rise in semiconductor chip demand will drive a higher demand for the specialized chemicals essential to their production. Although silicon serves as the foundation for most semiconductors, the chemical process industries (CPI) contribute significantly to the production of modern semiconductor chips. As noted by the American Chemistry Council, manufacturing a single chip requires at least 500 highly specialized chemicals. From 2020 to 2022, U.S. and foreign-based companies committed over $200 billion in private investments to enhance domestic semiconductor manufacturing, including fabrication, equipment, and materials, across 16 states. The semiconductor chemicals market is primarily driven by the surging demand for consumer electronics, including smartphones, laptops, and other smart devices, which require advanced microchips and integrated circuits.

 

Market Restraints

PFAS are essential in semiconductor manufacturing, playing a crucial role in up to 1,000 nanometric-level processes, including photolithography and plasma processing. Their resistance to degradation and exceptional stability make them invaluable for chip production. However, these same characteristics also present challenges in managing and eliminating PFAS from wastewater. The semiconductor industry faces a significant challenge in managing PFAS-contaminated wastewater. The EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) reports that 41 active semiconductor facilities in the U.S. have recorded compliance violations related to waste discharge or other regulatory issues. In 2022, the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation produced more than 58,000 metric tons of hazardous waste and over 46,000 metric tons of solid waste. Growing global awareness of PFAS contamination has led to increasingly strict regulations. The tightening regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging as a critical challenge for industries globally. Semiconductor manufacturers, which depend heavily on PFAS for key production processes, must adopt innovative strategies and a proactive mindset to adapt to these evolving regulatory requirements.

 

Market Opportunities

The emergence of next-generation semiconductor manufacturing processes such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and 3D chip packaging is creating a demand for highly specialized and high-purity chemicals. The growing investments in semiconductor fabrication facilities offer a fertile ground for market expansion. On March 4, 2025, TSMC announced an additional $100 billion investment to further expand advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. This builds upon its ongoing $65 billion investment in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing TSMC’s total U.S. investment to $165 billion. The expansion plan includes three new fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities, and a major R&D team center, marking the largest single foreign direct investment in U.S. history. Sustainability trends are also creating opportunities for companies to innovate with eco-friendly and green chemical solutions, aligning with global environmental standards.

 

Semiconductor Chemicals Market: Recent Developments

• On April 29, 2025, BASF announced plans to expand its production capacity for semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid, a crucial ultra-pure chemical. The new facility at its Ludwigshafen site in Germany will incorporate advanced purity technologies to support the rising demand for cutting-edge semiconductor chip manufacturing across Europe. Operations are scheduled to begin by 2027, aligning with the capacity expansions of key customers. BASF's investment in this project is estimated to be in the high double-digit million-euro range.

 

• On October 23, 2024, Sunlit Fluo & Chemical Co. Ltd., Taiwan’s leading semiconductor chemical supplier, announced its global expansion with the launch of its first manufacturing facility outside Asia—Sunlit Arizona, LLC. This cutting-edge plant, strategically situated in Phoenix, Arizona, will deliver essential materials to bolster the U.S. semiconductor industry, further solidifying Sunlit’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

 

• On July 23, 2024, EFC Gases and Advanced Materials announced plans to invest in chemical production for the U.S. semiconductor industry. The Massachusetts-based company has acquired 79 hectares of land in McGregor, Texas, to establish a $210 million facility dedicated to specialty gases and chemicals essential for chip manufacturing. Construction is set to begin in early 2025, and once completed, the plant will contribute to the industry's supply chain while generating employment opportunities.

 

Semiconductor Chemicals Market Segmentation: A Comprehensive Overview

By Type

• Acid & Base Chemicals

• High Performance Polymers

• Solvents

• Adhesives

• Others

 

By End User

• Integrated Circuits

• Optoelectronics

• Discrete Semiconductor

• Sensors

 

By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

 

Segmentation Analysis – Semiconductor Chemicals Market

By Type:

The market includes acid & base chemicals, high performance polymers, adhesives, solvents, and others. Among these, acid & base chemicals hold the leading market share. Aqueous solutions, including acids and bases, are essential for chemically etching or cleaning wafer surfaces. Examples of commonly used chemicals include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, ammonium hydroxide, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, ammonium fluoride, and hydrofluoric acid.

 

High performance polymers are emerging as the fastest-growing segment, driven by advancements in lithography and chip packaging. The industry depends on high-performance materials such as thermoplastics and elastomers for a wide range of applications, including chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), etching, wet cleaning and surface preparation, vacuum pumps, electroplating, deposition, wafer handling, and valve systems.

 

By End User:

The market is categorized into integrated circuits, discrete semiconductors, optoelectronics, and sensors. Integrated circuits (ICs) dominate the segment due to their widespread use in consumer electronics, computing, and telecommunications. Silicon remains the primary material for IC fabrication because of its widespread availability and excellent semiconductor characteristics. However, gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium phosphide (InP) are also utilized for specialized applications that demand high-speed or high-frequency performance.

 

The sensor segment is projected to grow at the fastest pace, propelled by the rising adoption of IoT devices, automotive safety systems, and industrial automation. They are fabricated on delicate silicon wafers.

 

By Region:

The market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific leads the global market, accounting for the largest share. SEMI reports that approximately 70% of the world's semiconductor manufacturing capacity is concentrated in South Korea, Taiwan, and China.

 

Figure: Global semiconductor manufacturing capacity, 1990–2030 forecast

 

This region is also expected to remain the fastest-growing, supported by government investments, expanding fabs, and growing demand for advanced electronics across various industries. Taiwan's semiconductor industry's rise to global prominence has created expanding opportunities for chemical manufacturing within this market. Taiwan's semiconductor industry contributes 15% to the country's GDP and manufactures 60% of the world's semiconductor chips, with a significant portion being highly advanced. China dominates the global gallium supply, accounting for 98% of unprocessed gallium and 86% of the total gallium production. Between 2010 and 2022, the number of semiconductor design firms in China grew almost sixfold, rising from 582 to 3,243. In 2022, semiconductors were South Korea’s top export, making up 18.9% of the country’s total exports.

 

From 2010 to 2022, the number of semiconductor design firms in China increased nearly sixfold, from 582 to 3,243

 

South Korea dominates the memory chip fabrication industry, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix holding a combined 73% share of the global DRAM market. The government aims to create the world's largest semiconductor cluster outside Seoul, with Samsung pledging $228 billion in investments through 2042, including the development of five fabrication plants.

 

Key Players in the Semiconductor Chemicals Market

• BASF SE

• Eastman Chemical Company

• FUJIFILM Corporation

• Honeywell International Inc.

• Linde PLC

• Solvay

• VWR International, LLC

• Entegris

• SK Inc.

• Wacker Chemie AG

 

Semiconductor Chemicals Market Report Coverage

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2032
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 14.3 Billion
Revenue Forecast by 2030	USD 28.8 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 12.5% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2023
Historical Data	2017 – 2021
Unit	USD Billion, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Type, By End User, By Geography
By Type	Acid & Base Chemicals, High Performance Polymers, Solvents, Adhesives, Others
By End User	Integrated Circuits, Optoelectronics, Discrete Semiconductor, Sensors
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, India, UK, Brazil, etc.
Market Drivers	Rising semiconductor demand, growth in consumer electronics, and advancements in chip fabrication
Customization Option	Available upon request