CMP Slurry Market Report 2025 (Global Edition)

CURRENT SCENARIO OF THE CHEMICAL MECHANICAL PLANARIZATION (CMP) SLURRY MARKET

Key factors driving the Growth of Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) Slurry Market

• The Growth of the semiconductor industry and its heavy reliance on CMP slurries for the planarization of silicon wafers during the manufacturing of integrated circuits drive the market growth

The use of CMP slurries is expected to increase as long as the semiconductor industry continues to see impressive performance in the memory chip and logic board categories. In the semiconductor industry, CMP slurry is a widely used polishing and planarization method. Semiconductors are used in a variety of electronic equipment, including servers, consumer electronics, automotive electronics, and industrial electronics. The current generation of electrical devices, including computers, cellphones, flat-screen TVs, and other devices, can only handle information quickly and efficiently. 

The demand for smart devices with high-performance integrated circuits (IC) rises in tandem with the need for CMP slurries. The growth of the semiconductor sector continues to help the global CMP slurry market. Global demand for semiconductors has surged due to the growing use of smartphones and tablets. Additionally, the industry is being forced to adopt and create new productivity technologies to the shifting chip demand. The growth of big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) present chipmakers with new opportunities for expansion as well as opportunities to enhance their efficiency.

The expansion of semiconductor applications in markets like data processing, consumer electronics, and others fuels the demand for new technologies like 3D packaging, 3D NANDs, and others, boosting the semiconductor industry's growth. As CMP is essential for delivering the technologies above, this is anticipated to propel the development of the CMP slurry market. Additionally, the demand for new and improved consumer electronics and the rising trend of new technology is helping the market expand.

• As per SEMI, soaring pandemic-inspired demand for chips was estimated to drive an 8% increase in global fab equipment spending in 2020 and a 13% increase in 2021. 
(Source: https://www.semi.org/en/news-media-press/semi-press-releases/world-fab-forecast)

Furthermore, CMP is used to eliminate surplus material and irregularities in the silicon wafer surface. This method ensures a smooth, uniform surface, which is critical for the subsequent lithography and etching steps in the semiconductor manufacturing process. The CMP planarization method generally improves the yield and quality of semiconductor devices. An even and smooth wafer surface increases total production yield, reduces the likelihood of faults, and enhances integrated circuit performance. CMP is often used to construct Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) structures. With STI, it is possible to electrically isolate transistors on a silicon wafer. CMP ensures that the insulating material filling the trenches is planarized, allowing layers to be accurately patterned and deposited in subsequent processing steps.

The interlayer dielectric (ILD) material utilized in the construction of multilayered integrated circuits is planarized in large part thanks to CMP. This prevents issues like step height variances that could impair the device's performance and enables subsequent metal layers to develop correctly. Metal is poured into trenches to create interconnects in semiconductor devices using the damascene method. CMP is used to remove extra metal and planarize the surface to provide proper electrical connection and minimize resistance. Precision and control provided by CMP become more crucial as semiconductor technology moves toward smaller nodes (such as 7nm, 5nm, and lower). Thanks to CMP, the industry can now meet the ever-tougher requirements for feature sizes and device performance.

• Increase in Demand for Miniaturized Consumer Electronics to Drive Global CMP Slurry Market 

The CMP slurry market is being driven by an increase in the demand for smart gadgets owing to expansion of the consumer electronics industry. In consumer electronics, the penetration of smartphones and tablets is increasing, which further boosts the demand for semiconductors. Currently, every electronic equipment and product that is manufactured consists of semiconductors and microchips. 

•  Overall, the Consumer Electronics market generated a total revenue of US$987 billion in 2022, representing a 4.4% decline from the previous year. The Consumer Electronics market is dominated by established and well-known companies, including Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and Sony. Moving forward, it is anticipated that several trends will fuel further growth in the Consumer Electronics market, including the emergence of 5G networks, the surging popularity of smart homes, and advancements in augmented and virtual reality technologies. 
(Source:https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/worldwide#analyst-opinion)

CMP slurry is an important material that is used in the processing of semiconductors, wafer, and microchips. Increasing popularity of miniaturized electronic components and high density setups in small devices is making the compact semiconductor essential. Moreover, CMP slurry has become critical in the production of integrated circuits. 

Moreover, evolving demand for chips is prompting the industry to adopt as well as to develop new productivity tools. The growth of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cloud computing is not only creating new growth avenues for chip makers, but also providing opportunities to improve their performance. Thus, increase in adoption of consumer electronic devices is expected to drive the global CMP slurry market during the forecast period. 

Key factors hampering the Market growth

• The disposal of CMP slurries and related chemicals can pose environmental challenges and thus hampering the market growth

A range of chemicals, such as stabilizers, surfactants, and abrasives, are frequently present in CMP slurries. Concerns regarding the effects of these chemicals’ disposal on the quality of the soil, water, and air may arise. It is possible for certain CMP slurries to include heavy metals in their composition. Ecosystems and human health may suffer when heavy metals are released into the environment. Waste produced during the CMP process must be treated and disposed of properly. Soil and water sources can become contaminated due to poor waste management techniques. CMP slurries and other chemicals used in semiconductor manufacturing may be disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations and standards. These rules must be followed by businesses in order to reduce their environmental effect.

Because the chemicals in CMP slurries are complex, recycling them can be difficult. To lessen the semiconductor manufacturing process’s overall environmental impact, efficient recycling techniques must be developed. Before being discharged, wastewater from semiconductor manufacturing facilities—which contains residues from CMP processes—must be properly treated. By doing this, it is ensured that the effluent satisfies environmental requirements and doesn’t damage the local ecology. 
Consumers, government agencies, and the general public are becoming more conscious of environmental issues, which puts pressure on businesses to embrace more sustainable practices. One such practice is the proper disposal of manufacturing byproducts like CMP slurries.

Opportunity

• Rise in Adoption of Advanced Technologies to Boost CMP Slurry Market 

The semiconductor industry has been evolving for the last few decades; among these, miniaturization in semiconductor technology has made a significant contribution to the success of modern electronics in numerous fields. Multiple manufacturers are engaged in the development of leading-edge and advanced technologies that can be utilized in semiconductor manufacturing process to enhance the performance of semiconductor and electronic devices. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the semiconductor industry by influencing semiconductor manufacturing process and chip designs. 

Additionally, IoT has brought in a revival in almost all core industries, further boosting the demand for semiconductor chips. Thus, rise in usage of advanced technology for manufacturing of semiconductor devices is anticipated to propel the global CMP slurry market during the forecast period.
For instance, In 2020, Soulbrain Co., Ltd developed new poly buffering slurry. The company focuses on R&D and aims to offer electronics related chemical materials such as chemical mechanical polishing slurries to customers.

How did COVID–19 Impact the Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) Slurry Market?

The pandemic of the novel coronavirus had harmfully affected the overall economy. The market was negatively affected because of COVID-19 in 2020. Due to the pandemic situation, almost every nation went into lockdown. COVID-19 has sparked an unparalleled situation. 

Consumer demand stagnation contributed to the economic downturn during the financial crisis, and COVID-19 has had an impact on global demand and supply, posing a twofold issue. Due to COVID-19's effects, the industrial chain for CMP Slurry is broken. The COVID-19 epidemic has caused a lack of raw supplies, sluggish traffic, and manufacturing shutdowns. 

COVID-19 also has an impact on the downstream semiconductor business. Most terminal businesses, with the exception of those involved with medicine, have suffered. As a result, demand in the downstream market has decreased. The COVID-19 outbreak has a negative overall impact on the growth of the CMP Slurry market.

• Gartner reports that 2020 semiconductor revenue is down by over 11%, equating to $55 billion in revenue lost. Before COVID-19, Gartner expected that 2020 would bring 12.5% growth. Now, the organization is expecting overall semi revenue to fall by nearly 1% this year.
(Source: https://www.gartner.com/en/insights)

Our study will explain complete manufacturing process along with major raw materials required to manufacture end-product. This report helps to make effective decisions determining product position and will assist you to understand opportunities and threats around the globe.

The Global CMP Slurry Market is witnessing significant growth in the near future.

In 2023, the Aluminum Oxide segment accounted for noticeable share of global CMP Slurry Market and is projected to experience significant growth in the near future.

The Silicon Wafers segment is expected to expand at the significant CAGR retaining position throughout the forecast period.

Some of the key companies 3M company , BASF and others are focusing on its strategy building model to strengthen its product portfolio and expand its business in the global market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)