Semiconductor Inspection and Measurement Equipment Market Forecasts to 2030 – Global Analysis By Type (Metrology Equipment and Defect Inspection Equipment), Function (Automated Inspection Systems, Manual Inspection Systems and Software Solutions), Technol

Semiconductor Inspection and Measurement Equipment Market Forecasts to 2030 – Global Analysis By Type (Metrology Equipment and Defect Inspection Equipment), Function (Automated Inspection Systems, Manual Inspection Systems and Software Solutions), Technology, Application and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Semiconductor Inspection and Measurement Equipment Market is growing at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. Semiconductor inspection and measurement equipment is a set of specialised tools and systems used in the semiconductor manufacturing process to ensure the quality, accuracy, and reliability of semiconductor devices, chips, or integrated circuits (ICs). These tools play a crucial role in various stages of semiconductor production, including wafer inspection, defect detection, metrology (measuring dimensions and properties), and process control.

According to SEMI, in 2022, the silicon wafer area shipments worldwide amounted to 14.71 billion square inches, which increased from 14.16 billion square inches in 2021.
Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing demand for semiconductors

The burgeoning demand for semiconductors, driven by the rapid proliferation of technologies like IoT, 5G, AI, and electric vehicles, fuels the need for precise and high-quality semiconductor chips. This surge necessitates sophisticated inspection and measurement equipment to ensure stringent quality control, detect defects, and optimise manufacturing processes. As industries across sectors rely heavily on semiconductor-enabled technologies, the demand for reliable and efficient inspection and measurement tools intensifies, driving the growth of the semiconductor inspection and measurement equipment market.

Restraint:

High cost of equipment

The semiconductor inspection and measurement equipment necessitates substantial investments due to its sophisticated technology, precision requirements, and frequent need for upgrades to align with evolving manufacturing standards. This financial burden can impede accessibility, particularly for smaller manufacturers or those with limited budgets, restricting their ability to acquire cutting-edge equipment. As a result, affordability becomes a challenge, hindering competitiveness within the semiconductor industry.

Opportunity:

Riding demand for high-performance semiconductor chips

As technological advancements drive the need for faster, more powerful chips for applications in AI, high-speed computing, and telecommunications, the requirement for precise and reliable inspection tools escalates. This demand necessitates advanced equipment capable of ensuring stringent quality control, detecting defects, and verifying intricate features on these high-performance chips. Consequently, it drives innovation and investment in sophisticated inspection and measurement solutions to meet the evolving requirements of producing cutting-edge semiconductor devices, fostering growth and development within the market.

Threat:

Environmental concerns

The manufacturing processes for these sophisticated tools often involve the use of hazardous materials and energy-intensive procedures, contributing to their environmental impact. Compliance with stringent regulations regarding waste disposal, energy consumption, and hazardous materials necessitates significant investments in eco-friendly manufacturing practices. Failure to address these concerns may result in increased operational costs, limitations in market acceptance, and regulatory non-compliance, potentially hindering growth and market

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic initially caused disruptions in supply chains, production slowdowns, and delays in equipment delivery. However, the surge in remote work, digitalization, and increased demand for electronics bolstered semiconductor chip requirements. This led to a subsequent rise in the need for inspection and measurement equipment to maintain quality standards. Overall, while facing challenges, the pandemic spurred a long-term demand for semiconductor devices, driving continued growth in the inspection and measurement equipment market.

The metrology equipment segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The metrology equipment segment is estimated to hold the largest share. Metrology equipment ensures the quality, accuracy, and conformity of semiconductor components and materials by measuring critical dimensions, surface topography, film thickness, and other characteristics at nanometer scales. Furthermore, metrology tools employ advanced technologies such as optical, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to enable thorough examination and verification of semiconductor features, ensuring adherence to design specifications and high-quality standards throughout the manufacturing process.
The wafer segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The wafer segment is anticipated to have lucrative growth during the forecast period. A wafer is a thin, disc-shaped substrate made of semiconductor materials like silicon. These wafers serve as the foundational material for manufacturing integrated circuits (ICs) and microchips. Wafer inspection and measurement equipment encompasses specialised tools and systems designed to examine and evaluate the quality, uniformity, defects, and critical parameters of these wafers. Moreover, these tools are crucial for ensuring the integrity, precision, and reliability of the wafers throughout the semiconductor fabrication process, optimising chip yield and performance.

Region with largest share:

Asia Pacific commanded the largest market share during the extrapolated period due to the region's dominance in semiconductor manufacturing. The region's growth is propelled by technological advancements, increasing demand for consumer electronics, and rapid industrialization. Companies in this region, including ASML, Tokyo Electron, and local players, are actively innovating to meet the escalating need for cutting-edge inspection and metrology equipment, further solidifying Asia Pacific's position as a crucial market driver in the semiconductor industry.
Region with highest CAGR:

North America is expected to witness profitable growth over the projection period, owing to its technological innovation and a robust semiconductor ecosystem. The United States, housing key semiconductor manufacturers and technology giants, plays a pivotal role. Companies like Applied Materials, KLA Corporation, and Nanometrics spearhead advancements in inspection and metrology solutions. Moreover, the region's focus on R&D, coupled with the increasing demand for high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and automotive electronics, sustains the market's growth.
Key players in the market

Some of the key players in the Semiconductor Inspection and Measurement Equipment Market include KLA Corporation, Hitachi High-Technologies, Applied Materials, Onto Innovation, ASML, SCREEN Semiconductor Solutions, Lasertec, Camtek, ZEISS, Toray Engineering, Unity Semiconductor SAS, Microtronic, RSIC, Muetec and DJEL.

Key Developments:

In December 2023, Applied Materials, Inc. and CEA-Leti announced an expansion of their longstanding collaboration to focus on developing differentiated materials engineering solutions for several specialty semiconductor applications.
In July 2023, Applied Materials, Inc. introduced Vistara™, Applied’s most significant wafer manufacturing platform innovation in more than a decade, designed to provide chipmakers with the flexibility, intelligence and sustainability needed to tackle growing chipmaking challenges.

In December 2022, KLA Corporation announced the launch of the revolutionary Axion® T2000 X-ray metrology system for advanced memory chip manufacturers. The Axion T2000 is a CD-SAXS (critical-dimension small angle X-ray scattering) system, leveraging industry-unique X-ray technologies to produce high-resolution measurements of critical dimensions and 3D shapes of memory device features.

Types Covered:
• Metrology Equipment
• Defect Inspection Equipment

Functions Covered:
• Automated Inspection Systems
• Manual Inspection Systems
• Software Solutions

Technologies Covered:
• Optical Inspection
• Scanning Probe Microscopy• Electron Beam Inspection• Other Technologies
Applications Covered:
• Mask/Film
• Wafer
• Process Control and Optimization
• Research and Development
• Other Applications

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
JapanChinaIndiaAustralia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026, and 2030
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements