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Specialty as well as commodity chemicals are used in virtually every step
of the manufacture of printed circuit boards (PCB) and semiconductor packaging
materials. This report covers the major chemicals that are consumed in the
production of these PCB and semiconductor packaging.
This study presents an overview of the PCB chemical and semiconductor packaging
material markets worldwide with regional coverage and a focus on regions with
rapid technological changes. Coverage includes the three major regional markets—the
United States, Western Europe and Japan—as well as the Republic of Korea,
Taiwan, China and ASEAN countries, where available.
In 2006, the global market for electronic chemicals for the production of
printed circuit boards (PCBs) and semiconductor packaging was valued in the
billions of dollars. This diverse, complicated, technology-driven global market
is projected to grow at a robust average annual rate through 2011. Key market
trends fuel this engine and multiple industries come together to deliver electronic
products to the marketplace.
Market forces drive the demand for materials, wafers, equipment, IC devices,
services, software and components, as well as packaging and PCBs. Materials
are used in various applications of this continuous loop. The major macroeconomic
drivers that influence this industry include:
Globalization. A product can be designed in one country and
manufactured in other.
The rise of the consumer. Globalization has brought wealth
to emerging economies.
The communication and information age. Businesses and people
are spread out all over the globe.
The cost/performance paradox. Moore’s Law is still
in effect.
The rise of Asia. This global trend cannot be overemphasized.
Currently, the global growth of PCBs is being driven by the increased use
of multilayered, flexible PCBs. The board density and design complexity keep
increasing as electronic companies try to add more features to the product.
The electronic designers are trying to design products with clock speeds in
excess of 250 MHz. At these speeds, speed and power dissipation become an issue
requiring the use of advanced materials that can maintain their physical properties
under even more stressful conditions.
The chemical markets for PCB fabrication and semiconductor packaging are greatly
influenced by the demand for products in the key markets. Some of the fastest-growing
electronic markets are high-definition televisions; small wireless devices,
including mobile phones, PDAs, and GPS units; and integrated devices like the
Apple iPhone®. These markets are projected to grow at extremely rapid average
annual rates through 2011.
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