Etching Chemicals Market Expected to Reach $3.0 Billion by 2032—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Etching Chemicals Market," The etching chemicals market was valued at $1.7 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $3 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023 to 2032.

Etching is the process of removing impurities from a metal surface to create designs that are then excised by acids. High-precision metal parts are produced using the highly accurate manufacturing method known as chemical etching. This manufacturing method is further used for photo etching and electrochemical etching. 

Chemical etching has a number of advantages, including higher design flexibility and cost-effectiveness with shorter lead times. This method is utilized for both component creation and micromachining, which creates tiny-sized components. Regardless of whether it is being used for industrial production or prototyping, it serves as a suitable option for making precision metal parts. Without the use of mechanical force or heat, etched components are free of strains and burrs while maintaining the material's characteristics.

Etching chemicals are vital components in the manufacturing process of various electronic devices and components. They enable the selective removal of material from the surface of a substrate, creating intricate patterns, structures, and features required for the functionality of electronic devices. Etching chemicals are majorly applicable in the electronics industry, where they play a critical role in the fabrication of integrated circuits (ICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and other electronic components.

One of the primary applications of etching chemicals is in IC manufacturing. ICs, also known as microchips or semiconductors, are the building blocks of electronic devices. Transistors, resistors, capacitors, and other electronic components can be integrated into the intricate circuit patterns defined by chemical etching on silicon wafers. In the production of integrated circuits, wet and dry etching processes are used, and different etchants are used depending on the materials being etched.

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are another key area where etching chemicals are extensively utilized. PCBs provide electrical connectivity and mechanical support for electronic components. The etching process is employed to remove unwanted copper from the substrate, leaving behind the desired circuit traces and interconnections. Etching chemicals, such as ferric chloride or ammonium persulfate, are used in the etching bath to selectively dissolve the copper, ensuring precise circuit formation.

MEMS devices, which combine mechanical and electrical components on a single chip, also rely on etching chemicals. MEMS technology enables the production of miniature sensors, actuators, and microstructures used in applications such as automotive sensors, inkjet printers, and medical devices. Etching chemicals are used to etch the silicon substrate, creating intricate microstructures, channels, and cavities essential for MEMS device functionality.

In addition, the etching process is critical in the manufacturing of displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, and micro-LED displays. They are employed to pattern the transparent conductive layers, thin-film transistor arrays, and other functional layers in these displays, allowing for precise control of light emission and electrical properties.

Moreover, etching chemicals are utilized in the automotive industry for the production of electronic components used in vehicles. From engine control units (ECUs) and sensors to lighting systems and battery technologies, etching chemicals play a crucial role. The precise patterning of circuits and structures on silicon substrates and other materials ensures the reliable operation of electronic systems in vehicles.

The usage of etching chemicals extends beyond the electronics and automotive industries. They find applications in fields such as aerospace, telecommunications, medical devices, and energy systems. In the aerospace sector, etching chemicals are utilized in the manufacturing of electronic components for aircraft systems, including avionics, communication systems, and flight control systems.

In telecommunications, etching chemicals are employed to fabricate devices such as radio frequency (RF) filters, waveguides, and optical components. These components rely on precise etching processes to achieve the desired performance characteristics, allowing for efficient signal transmission and manipulation.

In the medical device industry, etching chemicals are utilized in the production of implantable devices, lab-on-a-chip systems, and biosensors. The etching process enables the creation of intricate microstructures and patterns that facilitate the functionality of these devices in medical diagnostics, drug delivery, and patient monitoring.

The global etching chemicals market is segmented into type, application, end-use industry, and region. On the basis of type, the market is divided into SI etching solution, AL etching solution, AU etching solution, AG etching solution, copper etching solution, ITO etching solution, etching gas, and others. By application, it is classified into chemical etching, photochemical etching, and electrochemical etching. Depending on end-use industry, it is fragmented into aerospace, electronics, medical, automotive, construction and others. Region-wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

The major players operating in the global Etching Chemicals market include Solvay, SACHEM, INC., ZEON CORPORATION, ADEKA CORPORATION, Nagase ChemteX Corporation, BASF SE, DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd., KANTO KAGAKU, Stella Chemifa Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.

Key findings of the study:

• On the basis of type, the Al etching solution segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3%, in terms of revenue, during the forecast period.
• Depending on the end-use industry, the electronics industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9 %, in terms of volume, during the forecast period.
• On the basis of application, chemical etching has attained a major share of the etching chemical market.
• Region-wise, Asia-Pacific garnered a major share in 2022 in terms of revenue.