Pellicle Market

Global Pellicle Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

Based on the analysis by Fact.MR, the global pellicle market is estimated to be valued at US$ 695.7 Million in 2023 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% to reach US$ 1,719.8 Million by the end of 2033.

With the increasing demand for smaller sizes and higher resolution in semiconductor manufacturing, sophisticated lithography technologies such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography have grown in popularity. Pellicles are made by specialized manufacturers that build ultra-thin membranes from materials such as nitrocellulose or ultra-thin polymers.

Report Attributes	Details
Pellicle Market Size (2022A)	US$ 633.7 Million
Estimated Market Value (2023E)	US$ 695.7 Million
Forecasted Market Value (2033F)	US$ 1719.8 Million
Global Market Growth Rate (2023-2033)	9.5% CAGR
China Market Share (2023)	45.2%
US Market Growth Rate (2023-2033)	10.2% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	Mitsu Chemicals America, SHIN-ETSU, Micro Lithography, S&S Tech, Fine Semitech Corp., ASML Holding Inc., Teledyne DALSA, Inc., IMEC Canatu

Historic and Future Pathway Analysis for the Global Pellicle Market

Due to its uniform transmission, excellent longevity, and permeability, pellicle is extensively consumed in semiconductor manufacturing. Pellicles provide significant benefits in the photolithography process by serving as a protective barrier that shields the photomasks from potential contamination.

Short Term (2023-2026): The need to produce quality-driven chips is forcing the semiconductor industry to develop AI-ready hardware. AI will help in predictive analytics. Growing penetration of AI technology will drive the market for AI-bed hardware’s and subsequently for pellicle in short term.

Medium Term (2026-2029): In the medium term, the global pellicle market will flourish as it is the ultimate step to complete the EUV process. Instead of focusing on only memory-based business models, they can focus more on system IC and foundry. The rapid growth of the semiconductor industry is driven by IOT, automotive, and 5G. Thus, the pellicle market will have a soaring demand in medium term.

Long Term (2029-2033): Various factors like research and development, economic conditions, technological advancements, and political factors will contribute to the higher growth of demand for pellicle in the long term.

On the back of the aforementioned facts, the pellicle market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period from 2023-2033, According to the Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Market Dynamics Outlook

"Semiconductor advancements are leading to an increase in demand for pellicle"

The globe is heading towards artificial intelligence, 5G, the cloud, IoT, and electrified vehicles in the coming decade. So, the demand for quality-driven high-yield chips is the bird’s eyesight for the semiconductor industries. In this context, the pellicle market is playing an important role to enhance the production of semiconductors. Pellicles are designed to optimize various light exposures to obtain excellent transmission rates. Due to its masking nature, pellicle helps to prevent the reduction in the production capacity of the semiconductors.

• In 2022, the global pellicle market was valued at around 633.7 million U.S. dollars, and it is projected to experience continuous growth in the coming years. By 2033, the market size is expected to reach a remarkable peak of approximately 1719.8 million U.S. dollars. The rising growth in the semiconductor industry and advanced technology is expected to boost the demand for the pellicle market.

"The introduction of EUV lithography technology in the semiconductor industry will see a positive effect in the next few years"

Pellicle is the ultimate material that completes the EUV process. Many functionalities can be added to this membrane, like anti-reflection, anti-oxidation, mirror, etc. The most common field where these membranes are applied is X-ray, high energy beams, Nano-imprint lithography, and electron beam-based systems.

With the help of this EUV technology, the companies which produce tools, have abated the wavelength. This is the use of extreme UV which is very useful in the light implemented in the imaging systems. Also, the advancement in the field of optics and electronics will see the ultimate result when the pellicle market will be used to new heights.

"High Costs and Complexity Pose a Barrier to Market Expansion of the Global pellicle market"

Pellicle market is facing challenges due to high production costs. This in return affects the semiconductor manufacturers which is limiting the consumption of pellicles. Also, the implementation of a pellicle in a semiconductor is complex because certain changes in the production process need to be incorporated. For different photomask and lithography processes, the pellicles need to be enough compatible and durable.

Country-wise Insights

What are the Factors Driving Pellicle Market Demand Across the US?

The thriving semiconductor industries in the United States is exerting a substantial impact on the growth of the pellicle market. The increasing demand for quality-driven semiconductor chips, technological advancements, defense security purposes, and economic growth are leading to an expansion in the semiconductor industries.

This surge in demand is presenting lucrative opportunities for pellicle market manufacturers and suppliers to cater to the evolving needs of the burgeoning semiconductor industries in the US.

Based on the analysis by Fact.MR, the US pellicle market is estimated to be valued at US$ 150.8 Million in 2023 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% to reach US$ 444.2 Million by the end of 2033

Why China’s Pellicle Market is Flourishing?

China’s robust economy and well-established semiconductor industries, development of technology like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and 5G, and the country’s investment in domestic production are helping the pellicle market to flourish. The country's strategic location and its demand for advanced technologies and electronics are adding a positive factor to the pellicle market.

Many firms in China are actively introducing chip-making technology in their businesses. China sees huge revenue from the semiconductor industry in this digital era. With its low labor costs and advanced technology, China is trying its level best to be a leader in the semiconductor industry.

China is the largest manufacturer of electronic devices in the world. This is a predominant consumer of electronic devices. Thus, the application of pellicles is enhancing the production of semiconductors bringing in huge revenue growth to the country.

Based on the analysis by Fact.MR, the China pellicle market is estimated to be valued at US$ 286.3 Million in 2023 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% to reach US$ 859.4 Million by the end of 2033.

Category-wise Insights

How introduction of EUV Lithography Technology is helping the semiconductor industry?

Pellicles are materials that help in the reduction of water defects caused by their exposure to mask contamination. It has anti-pollutant properties and is highly permeable in nature. Thus, pellicle acts as the ultimate material in the EUV process and helps in mass production. Pellicle has an important role in EUV lithography because it uses a very short wavelength of light to design semiconductor chips. This EUV photomask helps to transfer complicated patterns onto the wafer without contamination on the mask. So, damage can be prevented as the particles are not allowed to land on the surface, hence increasing the yield.

How transmittance property of the pellicle is beneficial for the semiconductor lithography process?

A pellicle is a very thin membrane that acts as a protective cover over photomasks in photolithography processes. During the lithography process, the integrated circuit in the photomask is transferred to the semiconductor. Due to its high transmittance property, the pellicle allows maximum light to pass and reach the semiconductor wafer.

The higher the transmittance of the pellicle, the more the EUV photolithography process will take place. So, it reduces any kind of defects, enhances the manufacturing process of semiconductors, and brings in maximum production.

Eminent Player’s Key Stratagems

Mitsu Chemicals America, SHIN-ETSU, Micro Lithography, S&S Tech, Fine Semitech Corp., ASML Holding Inc., Teledyne DALSA, Inc., IMEC, and Canatu are the key players operating in the Pellicle market.

Manufacturers are continuously focusing on investing in research and development to innovate new products catering to diverse applications in semiconductor manufacturing. For instance, Samsung Electronics has started developing the advanced EUV Pellicle to counter its rival TSMC and gain a higher market share.

The recent report says that Samsung will integrate the latest EUV pellicles which have a transmittance property of more than 90 percent for mass production. Diversification plays another crucial aspect of their strategy, as they aim to offer a diverse range of pellicle markets tailored for various uses in semiconductors and other industries.

Geographic expansion is pursued as players seek to enter new regions and countries with growing interest in the pellicle market, expanding new growth opportunities. Strategic partnerships with pellicle market suppliers, distributors, and agents also form an integral part of their strategy, facilitating wider product distribution and availability. By collaborating with established industry players, manufacturers can reach a larger customer base and improve brand visibility.

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of pellicle markets positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Pellicle Markets Industry Research

• By Lithography Technology :

  • ArF
  • EUV
  • KrF

• By Transmittance :

  • ≥95
  • ≤95
  • ≥85
  • ≤85

• By Permeability :

  • ≥95
  • ≤95
  • ≥85
  • ≤85

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Oceania
  • Middle East & Africa