Annual growth rate of third-generation power semiconductors will reach 48% by 2025
🟦 Market growth rate of third-generation semiconductors
According to TrendForce, the third-generation power semiconductor market will grow fivefold from $980 million (about 110 billion yen) in 2021 to 4.71 billion dollars (550 billion yen) in 2025. This translates to an annual growth rate of 48%. Third-generation power semiconductors are more difficult to manufacture and expensive than conventional silicon semiconductor substrates.
What is the third generation of semiconductors?
The third generation of semiconductors is a semiconductor with a wide band gap, typified by silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). It is a material with features of high temperature, high frequency, high output, and radiation resistance. The first generation of semiconductors is ordinary silicon (Si) semiconductors, and the second generation is gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors, which are used for communication chips.
🟦Power semiconductors for EVs
Third-generation semiconductors are also used in lighting, 5G communications, power electronics, aerospace, and many other fields. But the markets with the highest growth potential are in the electric vehicle (EV) and fast-charging battery markets. SiC semiconductor substrates are major suppliers such as Wolfspeed, II-VI and Qromis. In any case, we plan to increase the diameter from the current 6 inches to 8 inches in the second half of 2022 and mass produce them.
SiC for EVs
Most of the power semiconductors on the market today in EVs are first-generation silicon IGBTs and MOSFETs. The voltage of the EV battery itself becomes high, and the SiC of the third-generation semiconductor exhibits excellent performance. The SiC power semiconductor market is estimated to reach $3.39 billion by 2025.
GaN fast charging
GaN, a third-generation semiconductor, is suitable for quick chargers for communication devices and mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. GaN fast charging can operate at high frequency, making the charger smaller than conventional fast charging. The GaN power semiconductor market is estimated to reach USD 1.32 billion by 2025.
🟦Summary
Demand for EVs and Fast Chargers Will Boost Third-Generation Power Semiconductors by 48% by 2025
I would also like Japan substrate suppliers to firmly invest in mass production technologies to spread the use of third-generation semiconductors.
