by Silicon tetrachloride, also known as silicon tetrachloride, is an inorganic compound with the formula SiCl4. It is a colorless fuming liquid that hydrolyzes readily with moisture to form hydrochloric acid and silicic acid. Silicon tetrachloride has a wide range of applications in electronics industry as it is used as an intermediate in the production of trichlorosilane, which is further used to produce hyperpure polycrystalline silicon. The increasing demand for polycrystalline silicon from the electronics and semiconductor industries is driving the growth of the global silicon tetrachloride market.
The Global Silicon Tetrachloride Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 3.33 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the Silicon Tetrachloride Market Growth are Tokuyama Chemicals Co. Ltd, Evonik Industries, PCC Group, Shandong Xinlong Group Co Ltd, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc, Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc., Merck KGaA, Dow Corning, ATCO, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, Reade International Corp, Alfa Aesar, Vizag Chemicals, Ennore India Chemicals, and RX CHEMICALS.
The key opportunities in the silicon tetrachloride market include growing demand from the semiconductor and electronics industries owing to miniaturization of electronic components.
Advancements in silicon tetrachloride production technologies help improve yield and reduce waste, driving market growth.
Market Drivers
Growing demand for electronics and semiconductor devices: Silicon tetrachloride acts as an important intermediate in the production of hyperpure polycrystalline silicon used in electronics and semiconductors like integrated circuits, transistors etc. The growing demand for electronics and semiconductors globally is expected to drive the silicon tetrachloride market during the forecast period.
Wide applications in chemical industry: Apart from electronics, silicon tetrachloride also finds applications as an intermediate in the production of silicones, silicone sealants, adhesives, elastomers and other chemical products. The growing markets for these Chemical applications is projected to boost the silicon tetrachloride market growth.
Current Challenges in Silicon Tetrachloride Market
The silicon tetrachloride market is facing various challenges like fluctuation in raw material prices, growing environmental concerns, and stringent regulations. The prices of raw materials like silicon metal vary frequently based on supply-demand dynamics which increases production cost for manufacturers. Further, the production of silicon tetrachloride releases harmful hydrochloric acid as a by-product which poses environmental issues. Stricter emission norms by regulatory bodies globally have increased compliance costs for industry players. Moreover, the market is concentrated among few major producers which leads to supply risks and volatility in pricing. Substitutes like trichlorosilane are also gaining traction which threatens the future prospects of silicon tetrachloride in some applications.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Versatile industrial applications in semiconductor & solar sector; Wide availability of low-cost raw materials like metallurgical-grade silicon
Weakness: Toxic nature requiring safety compliance; Production linked environmental emissions
Opportunity: Growth in wafer fabrication & photovoltaic industries driving long term demand; Potential to reduce usage through process innovation
Threats: Supply chain disruptions impacting manufacturers; Strong competition from alternative chemicals
Geographical Regions
In terms of value, the Asia Pacific region accounts for a major share of around 50% in the global silicon tetrachloride market led by countries like China, Taiwan and South Korea. This is due to presence of large number of wafer fabrication plants and solar panel manufacturers within the region. North America and Europe are other prominent consumers driven by semiconductor and chemical sectors respectively.
Fastest Growing Region
The silicon tetrachloride market in Middle East & Africa region is projected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period. This is attributed to ongoing solar power plant projects across GCC countries and investments by international wafer producers to diversify their sourcing from the region. Increasing government emphasis on renewable energy adoption is anticipated to drive continued demand uptick in MEA through 2031.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
