John West, Stefan Chitoraga, Yole Group, Villeurbanne, France
Vacuum processing equipment represents 45% of all expenditure on wafer fab equipment (WFE) used to manufacture semiconductors. This means that in 2024, out of a total $110Bn semiconductor equipment market, $50Bn was spent on vacuum deposition and etch tools. The suppliers of WFE are well known, and they generally take much of the credit for developing the tools that enable the industry to keep pushing the boundaries of what can be produced.
What is less well-known is that suppliers of the critical subsystems and components used on vacuum-related equipment play a significant role in keeping the industry on track. Many enabling technologies originated from these suppliers, and they have been instrumental in developing higher-performance products and new capabilities.
To put this into perspective, in 2024, suppliers of vacuum-related subsystems and components generated $18bn in revenues. Approximately $11Bn was for products related to new tool shipments, and a further $7Bn was for replacements in the field. These are big numbers; on average, 10% of these revenues are being plowed back into R&D.
This presentation explores the relationship between suppliers and buyers, how this has evolved, and how suppliers can ensure their continued success in providing the enabling technologies for the next generation of advanced vacuum processing equipment.