Semiconductor Photomask Sales Reach Record High of $4 Billion

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Following a record-breaking 2017, worldwide semiconductor photomask sales set a new high of $4.04 billion in 2018 and is forecast to extend its record-setting streak through 2020 with forecast sales of $4.2 billion, SEMI, the industry association representing the global electronics manufacturing and design supply chain, reported today in its 2018 Photomask Characterization Summary.

The photomask market is expected to grow 3% in both 2019 and 2020, with advanced technology feature sizes (less than 45nm) and Asia-Pacific manufacturing growth remaining key drivers. For the eighth consecutive year, Taiwan was the largest photomask regional market and is expected to retain its hold on the top spot for the duration of the forecast, through 2020. Korea held onto the second spot for the second year in a row.

The $4.04 billion in photomask revenues in 2018 accounted for 13% of the total wafer fabrication materials market, behind silicon and semiconductor gases, shrinking in proportion from 18% of the total share in 2003. While captive photomask shops have become increasingly important to the total photomask market, captive suppliers lost 1% market share, dropping to 64% share in 2018 from 65% in 2017. In 2013, captive mask shops represented 31% of the photomask market.

The recently published 2018 Photomask Characterization Summary provides details on the 2018 photomask market for seven regions of the world including North America, Japan, Europe, Taiwan, Korea, China, and Rest of World. The report also includes data for each of these regions from 2003 to 2020 and summarizes lithography developments over the past year.

About SEMI

SEMI connects more than 2,100 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Electronic System Design Alliance (ESD Alliance), FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA) and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Association Partners, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies.