Compound Semiconductor Market Size | Share and Trends 2024 to 2034

Compound Semiconductor Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034

The global compound semiconductor market size accounted for USD 53.46 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 154.54 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2024 to 2034.

Compound Semiconductor Market Key Takeaway

• Asia Pacific led the global market with the highest market share of 53% in 2023.
• By product, the group III-V segment held a 54% revenue share in 2023.
• The group IV-IV segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% between 2024 to 2034.
• By application, the telecommunication segment accounted for 43% of revenue share in 2023.
• The electronics and consumer goods application segment is growing at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Compound Semiconductor Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The Asia Pacific compound semiconductor market size was estimated at USD 25.48 billion in 2023 and is predicted to be worth around USD 81.91 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2024 to 2034.

The Asia Pacific captured maximum revenue share of nearly 53% in the global compound semiconductor market in 2023. In addition, the region analyzed to witness the highest growth over the forecast period. This is mainly due to the escalating demand of consumer electronic products along with significant penetration of wireless communication technologies in the region. The region encountered prominent growth potential for the new and advanced technologies as well as shifting consumer trend towards smart and innovative solutions has remarkably driven the regional growth in the recent past and projected to continue the same over the coming years.

Compound Semiconductor Market Growth Factors

Increased demand for compound semiconductor epitaxial wafer especially in consumer electronics industry along with the advantages offered by the compound semiconductor wafers over silicon-based wafers are the prominent factors that drive the overall market growth. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are one of the most common applications of compound semiconductor. Today, LEDs have replaced various light sources such as fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs, and CFLs. Moreover, they have significant penetration in automotive lighting, general lighting, and signage displays. The compound semiconductors used in LEDs are made from group III and group V elements of the periodic table commonly known as III-V materials. In addition, rising trend towards application of wafers in automotive sector again propels the market growth to some extent.

Besides this, high cost of wafer manufacturing pose significant threat to the market growth of compound semiconductor. An average expenditure required per compound semiconductor is much more than the expenditure required per pure silicon semiconductor device. This is mainly due to the complex and advanced technologies employed at every stage of manufacturing process. Nevertheless, increasing implementation of compound semiconductors in smart technologies as well as rising penetration of Internet of Things (IoT) in wafers are the prime factors expected to fuel the market growth during the forecast period.

Statistics, Investment, and Manufacturing Data

• In 2023, Chinese province Southern Guangdong announced to fund 30 billion yuan or $ 4.37 billion to invest in the production of compound semiconductors, semiconductors, automotive semiconductor chips and other semiconductor components.
• Changsha, China in 2023 announced to start $ 7.2 billion worth subsidies to support semiconductor industries including the third-generation semiconductors.
• Between 2020 and 2022, the United States-based and foreign-headquartered firms stated over $200 billion for private investments in semiconductor manufacturing industry.
• In 2022, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry approved the subsidies worth $3.5 billion for the construction of semiconductor foundry in the country. 
• Intel, a prominent manufacturer of semiconductor chips stated in January 2023 that it has invested $20 billion for two new semiconductor chips factories in Ohio.
• China alone produces 80% gallium, which is an essential component in compound semiconductor. According to the Chinese Customs, the nation exported 94 metric tons of gallium in 2022.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising demand from automotive industry

The rapid development of electric vehicles is one of the primary factors to drive the growth of the market by boosting the demand for compound semiconductors. Compound semiconductors such as Gallium Nitride and Silicon Carbide offer higher energy efficiency, faster switching and better thermal conductivity for electric vehicles. This enables higher energy conversion and longer driving range along with rapid charging times. The increasing connectivity requirements in modern vehicles, such as 5G-based telematics and advanced infotainment systems demand high speed data transmission. Compound semiconductors provide excellent performance with low latency. Thus, the rising demand from automotive industry is observed to drive the growth of the market.

Increasing penetration in consumer electronics devices

The consumer electronics sector is one of the earliest adopters of various types of semiconductors. Similarly, compound semiconductors have significant potential in consumer electronics devices. The need for higher performance, miniaturization and power efficiency promotes the application of compound semiconductors in consumer electronics devices. Compound semiconductors also offer longer battery life and reduced power consumption. Thus, the increasing penetration of compound semiconductors in consumer electronics devices is observed to act as a driver for the market’s growth.

Restraints

Lack of standardization

Standardization for the manufacturing process can help streamline the compound semiconductor supply chain by ensuring compatibility between different components and reducing the risk of material obsolescence. Due to lack of standardization, manufacturers may need to maintain multiple supply chains or invest in costly customization to meet specific requirements. Moreover, the absence of standardized manufacturing processes for compound semiconductors can lead to inconsistent production, this also limits manufacturers from entering into the market. All these factors associated with the lack of standardization create a restraint for the market’s expansion.

Costly and complex testing

Testing of semiconductors is a crucial stage during the manufacturing process. The complicated structure of compound semiconductors makes it more complex and costly to test. Testing compound semiconductors is an expensive process due to the specialized equipment, materials and expertise required for the same. As the product is emerging in the global industry, developing an appropriate and adequate testing method has become a task. Test engineers need to understand the specific behavior of compound semiconductors to design effective testing protocols. Thus, the costly and complex testing process restrains the market’s expansion.

Opportunity

Emphasis on boosting 5G infrastructure

Compound semiconductors, particularly GaN, have excellent power amplification capabilities. They can deliver high power outputs while maintaining efficiency, making them ideal for 5G base stations and deployments. 5G technology utilizes millimeter-wave frequencies for ultra-high-speed and low-latency communications. Compound semiconductors, such as gallium arsenide and indium gallium arsenide are well suited for such applications due to their high electron mobility and low noise characteristics. To conclude, the demand for 5G infrastructure highlights the requirement for compound semiconductors. Thus, the emphasis on boosting 5G infrastructure is observed to create a set of opportunities for the market’s expansion. 

Challenge

Manufacturing limitations

Compound semiconductor manufacturing processes are complicated and require specialized equipment as compared to the production of traditional semiconductors. Higher costs can limit the adoption of compound semiconductors by making it less appealing for the consumers and the overall industry. The manufacturing facilities for compound semiconductors are relatively limited, the scarcity of manufacturing capacity, supply chain constraints and higher costs slow down the manufacturing pace by creating a challenge for the market.

Application Insights

IT & Telecom accounted for the major market value share of nearly 43% in 2023 and expected to witness substantial growth over the analysis period. This is attributed to rising demand for semiconductor elements in wireless and mobile communications. High efficiency and speed offered by the compound semiconductor over silicon semiconductors are the prime factor driving its application in advanced communication technologies. Furthermore, integration of numerous up-coming technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are creating more need for the usage of high-speed semiconductor devices, thereby influencing positively for the market growth of compound semiconductors.

On the other hand, consumer electronics projected to register the most lucrative growth rate during the forecast period. Increasing end-use applications such as LED, mobile phones, and television, and other entertainment devices predicted to contribute for the significant market growth.

Compound Semiconductor Market Companies

• Nichia Corporation
• Cree Inc.
• Qorvo
• Samsung Electronics
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
• STMicroelectronics NV
• NXP Semiconductor N.V.
• Texas Instruments Inc.
• Renesas Electronics Corporation
• Infineon Technologies AG

Key Companies Share Insights

The global compound semiconductor market is highly fragmented and competitive in nature due to rapidly changing consumer preferences. Companies present in the market are mainly focusing on differentiating from a product offering standpoint. They are also focused towards acquiring core competencies associated to varied service offerings by different methods that include vertical integration, mergers & acquisitions, and strategic alliances across the value chain.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Deposition Technology

• Molecular Beam Epitaxy
  • Metal Organic Molecular Beam Epitaxy
• Chemical Vapor Deposition
  • Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD)
• Ammonothermal
• Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy
• Atomic Layer Deposition
• Liquid Phase Epitaxy
• Others

By Type

• II-VI Compound Semiconductors
  • Cadmium Telluride
  • Cadmium Selenide
  • Zinc Selenide
• III-V Compound Semiconductors
  • Gallium Phosphide
  • Gallium Nitride
  • Indium Phosphide
  • Gallium Arsenide
  • Indium Antimonide
• IV-IV Compound Semiconductors
  • Silicon Germanium
  • Silicon Carbide
• Sapphire
• Others
  • Aluminum Indium Arsenide
  • Aluminum Gallium Arsenide
  • Aluminum Gallium Phosphide
  • Aluminum Gallium Nitride
  • Cadmium Zinc Telluride
  • Indium Gallium Nitride

By Product

• Transistors
  • Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors
  • High Electron Mobility Transistors
  • Metal Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors
• Power Semiconductor
• Diodes & Rectifiers
  • Zener Diode
  • PIN Diode
  • Light-Emitting Diode
  • Schottky Diode
• Integrated Circuits
  • Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits
  • Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits
• Others

By Application

• Industrial and Energy & Power
  • Wind Turbines & Wind Power System
  • Smart Grid
  • Motor Drives
  • Photovoltaic Inverters
• Consumer Electronics
  • LED Lighting
  • Invertors
  • Switch Mode Consumer Power Supply System
• IT & Telecom
  • Satellite Communication
  • Signal Amplifiers and Switching System
  • RF
  • Radar
• Automotive
  • Chemical Vapor Deposition Braking System
  • Electric Vehicle & Hybrid Electric Vehicles
  • Automobile Motor Drives
  • Rail Traction
• Aerospace & Defense
  • Ships & Vessels
  • Combat Vehicles
  • Microwave Radiation
• Healthcare
  • Biomedical Electronics
  • Implantable Medical Device

By Regional Outlook

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • U.K.
  • Germany
  • France
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• Rest of the World