INTRODUCTION
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The objective of "Ultrapure Materials for the Semiconductor Industry" (an updated BCC technical/marketing report) is to present a detailed view of the complex, dynamic nature of the U.S. semiconductor market for these chemicals, water, and gases. This report seeks to ascertain how growth in this market relates to demand for semiconductors, and how this market is influenced by regulatory, technological and economic factors. It also provides the information necessary for evaluating projections relating to the U.S. ultrapure materials market.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
The semiconductor industry contains key technologies for any industrialized country, and its output is subject to exhaustive analysis and quantification. However, little comprehensive market information exists on the ultrapure materials used to manufacture semiconductors and related products. This updated report fills that knowledge gap by providing information on supply and demand, growth rates, market shares, potential markets, new technologies, current research, environmental issues and profiles of key participants.
HISTORY OF THE MARKET
Born out of a need to quickly process large amounts of information, the semiconductor industry has come of age since the world's first electronic computer deciphered codes during World War II. The solid-state electronics age was launched in 1947 with the development of the transistor, and growth was aided with the 1959 discovery of the integrated circuit.
From these discoveries emerged the semiconductor industry that throughout the 1970s and 1980s designed, packaged and sold separate transistors, Darlingtons and other simple combinations, as well as integrated circuits made on dies, i.e., single pieces of silicon. As the semiconductor industry grew, however, the distinction between component and circuit became less so, and increasingly pure materials were required from suppliers. In response, separate divisions and companies emerged to meet the demand.
The birth of multichip module (MCM) interconnects, where the semiconductor die is mounted directly onto tiny printed circuit boards made of ceramic, led to newer photolithographic processes. These required ultrapure, rather than ordinary materials, to produce finer MCM interconnects. MCMs do not need processes and materials related to doping and junction formation, but they do use many substrate materials. The falling-out stage that likely will leave one room temperature and one high-temperature MCM interconnect technology, has not yet come to this industry.
By 2004 or shortly thereafter, miniaturization of interconnects should catch up with miniaturization of semiconductor dies as progress is made in connecting dies to interconnects in MCMs. The success of the Intel P-6 or Pentium Pro (a two-die module) in finding a mass market, in comparison with its single-die precursors, the Intel Pentium and the Motorola Power PC, heralded the beginning of that process.
If computers using the Pentium Pro microprocessor appear in discount stores (although the first ones will be distributed to businesses), and if the next-generation microprocessor also has two or more dies, then the trend toward MCMs can be considered as established.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
This report organizes information from diverse sources into a cohesive unit that includes an overview of the industry, industry structure, and an analysis of market demand. Industry structure addresses the competitive aspects of the industry and profiles key companies involved in supplying ultrapure chemicals, water and gases to the semiconductor and related industries.
The market analysis identifies major products, applications and technologies, as well as patent abstracts that represent many R&D trends and that illustrate areas of company activity. The analysis also includes estimates of current and projected U.S. market size for the ultrapure materials considered in this report. All values and projections are made in terms of current dollars and represent real growth over the 5-year period covering 2002 to 2007, unless otherwise noted.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
The methodologies used in this report include extensive library research and information from internal BCC files, as well as telephone interviews with trade associations and key representatives from the leading suppliers of ultrapure materials to the semiconductor industry. The report also includes an online search of databases covering existing literature, as well as an evaluation of government statistics, company activities, state-of-the-art technology, and patents. Since this report revises, expands, and updates a previous BCC report (C-152R), it contains some historical and background information. This information conforms to the newer BCC format and the more-focused objectives of this report.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY AND FOR WHOM
This updated study consolidates a range of technical and industrial information into a comprehensive technical/marketing report that should aid R&D personnel. It provides in-depth information and state-of-the-art technological evaluations for decision making by those involved in, or considering becoming involved in, the supply of ultrapure chemicals, water or gases to the semiconductor and related industries.
The study can assist clients in strategic planning, acquisition analysis, technology analysis, commercial development of new products, and analysis of competitors' strategies, strengths, weaknesses, pricing, market share and profitability. | 
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