Market Overview

The global power semiconductors market in 2017 grew steadily by 12.2% on a year-over-year basis to attain US$17,745 million. The market size in 2017 has largely exceeded that of at the time when the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers had not occurred yet. The increasing demand of the four categories, i.e., telecommunication, consumer goods, industry and automobiles since the latter half of 2016, has lead the production line at power semiconductor makers to continue running at full capacity. Because of the stable orders accepted at the leading makers, the global power semiconductors market is expected to increase by 9.2% to attain US$19,371 million by 2018.

When looking at the market by device, the shipment of power modules for industrial machinery has expanded, out of which power modules for servomotors used in industrial robots, machine tools, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment has grown favorably. The demand for MOSFET in the field of telecommunications and automobiles has been growing steadily. Especially, MOSFET for automobiles is expected to grow further for 2019 and beyond, as the number of MOSFET embedded per automobile has been increasing because more auto parts have become controlled by motors.

Noteworthy Topics

The global market of SiC (Silicon Carbide) power semiconductors in 2017 has grown by 35.4% to US$ 310 million, with most of the demand for SiC-SBD (Schottky diode), which is used in the following business sectors: Telecommunication (for server power factor correction circuits), industry (for power conditioners for photovoltaic power generation, power source for industrial equipment, and EV charging station), and automobiles (for on board chargers). Because SiC-MOSFET has been adopted for EV main inverters and OBC, the market size of SiC power semiconductors for automobiles is likely to increase in 2018. 
For 2020 and beyond, as the market for SiC power semiconductors for the automobile industry is likely to fully launch, they are expected to be increasingly adopted in main inverters for HVs and EVs in stages. Because mass production of 6-inch SiC wafers is to take effect in 2021 and beyond and because the cost for SiC power semiconductors declines to reduce the price differential from Si power semiconductors, the application of SiC power semiconductors is projected to be widen further. By 2025, the market size is expected to achieve US$ 2,540 million.


 

Research Outline