According to a new report from Intel Market Research, the global rare gases for semiconductor market was valued at USD 767 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1,426 million by 2031, growing at a robust CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period (2025–2031). This growth is propelled by the rapid expansion of the semiconductor industry, technological advancements in fabrication processes, and increasing demand for advanced electronics and IoT devices.
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Rare gases, also known as noble gases, are a group of chemically inert gases that include helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn). These gases are critical in semiconductor manufacturing processes due to their unique properties, such as high thermal conductivity, low reactivity, and ability to create stable plasmas. They are widely used in applications like wafer production, LED manufacturing, epitaxy, and various etching and deposition processes essential for advanced chip fabrication.
The semiconductor industry relies on these gases for their exceptional purity and stability under extreme conditions. For instance, xenon is indispensable for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, while argon and krypton play vital roles in creating precise plasma environments for etching and deposition. Their inert nature prevents unwanted chemical reactions during manufacturing, ensuring higher yields and superior chip performance.
1. Semiconductor Industry Expansion Driving Rare Gas Demand
The global semiconductor market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6-8% from 2024 to 2031, creating substantial demand for rare gases in wafer fabrication processes. With electronic device production expected to exceed 1.5 trillion units annually by 2026, the need for high-purity rare gases such as krypton and xenon for chamber cleaning and etching applications continues to accelerate. Major semiconductor foundries are expanding production capacity, with planned investments exceeding $500 billion in new fabrication facilities worldwide over the next five years, directly boosting rare gas consumption.
2. Lithography Advancements Fueling Xenon Demand
The transition to advanced semiconductor nodes below 7nm requires increasingly sophisticated lithography solutions, creating strong demand for xenon in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light sources. Each EUV machine consumes approximately 10-15 liters of xenon gas per hour during operation, with the installed base of these systems expected to grow by 40% annually through 2030. The critical role of xenon in generating the 13.5nm wavelength light essential for cutting-edge chip production makes it indispensable for semiconductor manufacturers pushing the boundaries of Moore's Law.
Furthermore, the increasing adoption of argon-fluoride excimer lasers for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography continues to drive demand for high-purity argon. Semiconductor-grade argon consumption has grown at 12-15% annually in recent years, reflecting the industry's ongoing expansion and technology transitions.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Over 70% of global neon production originates from concentrated facilities in geopolitically sensitive regions, creating pricing volatility and supply chain uncertainty. Inventory shortages during peak demand periods have caused prices to spike by 300-400% in previous market cycles.
High Purity Requirements: Semiconductor-grade rare gases must meet exacting purity standards of 99.9999% (6N) or higher, resulting in production costs 5-7 times higher than industrial grade gases due to complex cryogenic distillation processes.
Geopolitical Factors: Recent conflicts have demonstrated how regional disruptions can impact global availability, with certain rare gas prices experiencing 500%+ fluctuations within short timeframes, forcing manufacturers to seek alternative solutions.
The global semiconductor industry's evolution toward more advanced nodes and specialized applications presents numerous growth avenues. Emerging opportunities include:
Compound Semiconductor Applications: Gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) wafer manufacturing processes increasingly utilize specialized gas mixtures containing helium and neon for thermal management and plasma etching
Recycling Initiatives: Advanced recovery systems can capture and purify 75-85% of process gases for reuse, significantly lowering per-wafer gas consumption and addressing sustainability concerns
Regional Expansion: Growing semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in Asia-Pacific, particularly China's aggressive self-sufficiency push, are creating new demand centers for high-purity rare gases
Major industrial gas suppliers are responding to these opportunities through capacity expansions and technological innovations. For instance, leading companies have announced new xenon purification facilities capable of reaching 99.9999% purity, addressing the stringent requirements of next-generation chip manufacturing.
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Asia-Pacific: Dominates the global market with over 60% share, driven by massive semiconductor manufacturing ecosystems in South Korea, Taiwan, and China. The region's leadership in nodes below 7nm directly increases rare gas consumption per wafer.
North America: Maintains strong demand from leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers and specialized chip producers, particularly for aerospace-grade semiconductors and advanced packaging applications.
Europe: Features specialized demand from EUV lithography equipment production and automotive semiconductor suppliers, with premium pricing for ultra-high purity gases used in MEMS and power electronics.
Latin America and Middle East & Africa: Emerging markets showing potential through growing electronics assembly operations and investments in LED production, though infrastructure limitations currently constrain market expansion.
By Type
Krypton
Neon
Xenon
Argon
Helium
Others
By Application
Wafer Production
LED Manufacturing
Epitaxy
Etching Processes
Deposition Processes
Others
By End User
Semiconductor Manufacturers
Foundries
Research & Development Labs
Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturers
By Region
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Latin America
Middle East & Africa
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The global rare gases for semiconductor market features a dynamic competitive landscape dominated by established industrial gas suppliers and specialty chemical manufacturers. The market structure remains semi-consolidated, with the top five players accounting for approximately 58% of the market share in 2024.
The report provides in-depth competitive profiling of key players, including:
Linde Group
Air Liquide
Air Products
Messer Group
SHOWA DENKO
Iceblick
Nanjing Special Gas
Other emerging players in the noble gas supply chain
Global and regional market forecasts from 2025 to 2031
Strategic insights into capacity expansions, technological developments, and regulatory landscape
Market share analysis and SWOT assessments of key players
Pricing trends and supply chain dynamics
Comprehensive segmentation by gas type, application, end user, and geography
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Intel Market Research is a leading provider of strategic intelligence, offering actionable insights in advanced materials, industrial gases, and semiconductor infrastructure. Our research capabilities include:
Real-time competitive benchmarking
Global supply chain and capacity monitoring
Country-specific regulatory and pricing analysis
Over 500+ industrial and technology reports annually
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