EUV Pellicle Market Surges as Semiconductor Industry Embraces Next-Generation Lithography
EUV Pellicle Market Surges as Semiconductor Industry Embraces Next-Generation Lithography
The global market for EUV pellicles is experiencing robust growth, driven by the relentless push for smaller, more powerful semiconductors. According to a comprehensive new report by 24chemicalresearch, the market is projected to reach USD 163 million by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3% from its 2024 valuation of USD 72 million.
Market Overview: The Critical Shield in Advanced Chipmaking
EUV pellicles are ultra-thin protective membranes that serve as a critical enabler in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, the technology powering the world's most advanced semiconductors. By shielding photomasks from airborne contaminants, these films prevent defects that could compromise the intricate patterns etched onto wafers. As the industry pushes below the 7nm node, the technology has evolved dramatically from simple single-layer polysilicon to sophisticated multi-layer designs, such as those combining molybdenum disilicide and silicon, which now achieve over 90% EUV transmittance.
The market's growth trajectory is fundamentally linked to the expanding adoption of EUV lithography in high-volume manufacturing. The transition to more powerful EUV systems, operating above 500W, has intensified the need for pellicles with superior thermal stability and optical performance. Key industry players, including ASML, Mitsui Chemical, and S&S Tech, are at the forefront of innovation, actively developing next-generation carbon nanotube (CNT) pellicles to meet the exacting demands of future semiconductor fabrication processes.
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Market Dynamics: Drivers, Opportunities, and Challenges
Market Drivers: Powering the Future of Logic and Memory
Expansion of EUV Lithography: The semiconductor industry's widespread adoption of EUV technology for sub-7nm nodes is the primary growth catalyst. With over 90% of leading-edge logic chips now utilizing EUV, the need for flawless contamination control has made pellicles indispensable. As high-volume manufacturing ramps up at 3nm and below, the demand for these protective films intensifies, directly correlating with wafer yields and overall production economics.
Increasing Power Requirements Driving Innovation: The shift toward next-generation EUV systems operating above 500W places immense thermal and mechanical stress on pellicles. This technological push has spurred a material evolution from basic polysilicon to advanced MoSi/Si multi-layer composites and emerging carbon nanotube (CNT) solutions. This continuous cycle of performance enhancement—with transmittance improving from 82% to over 90%—creates demand for newer, more durable products and sustains premium pricing.
The Consumable Nature of Pellicles: Unlike durable lithography components, EUV pellicles have a finite lifespan, requiring regular replacement every 2 to 6 months due to performance degradation under intense EUV exposure. This inherent consumability creates a reliable, recurring revenue stream for suppliers, a dynamic amplified by the projected 12% annual growth in wafer starts at leading-edge nodes through 2027.
Market Restraints: Overcoming Technical and Structural Hurdles
Material Science Complexities: The development of EUV pellicles presents significant technical challenges. Manufacturers must create defect-free membranes under 50nm thick that possess the paradoxical combination of extreme thinness and sufficient mechanical strength. Even minute inconsistencies in thickness, measured in atomic layers, can cause critical dimension variations during wafer patterning, leading to yield challenges that have historically constrained production capacity.
Concentration of the EUV Ecosystem: The market operates within a highly consolidated supply chain. With a single dominant supplier of EUV lithography equipment, pellicle manufacturers face extended qualification cycles, often lasting 12-18 months, to certify new materials. This creates significant barriers to entry and can delay the commercialization of innovative solutions, introducing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Market Opportunities: New Frontiers in Materials and Applications
Emerging CNT Pellicle Technology: Carbon nanotube-based pellicles represent the next frontier, offering projected transmittance of 93-95% and superior thermal durability for 600W+ lithography systems. Early movers like Mitsui Chemicals are establishing a first-mover advantage with strategic partnerships and new production facilities. This shift toward nano-engineered materials creates significant opportunities for both established suppliers and specialized new entrants.
Advanced Packaging Applications: While historically focused on front-end logic fabrication, EUV lithography is finding new applications in advanced packaging, particularly for 2.5D/3D IC integration. High-density interconnects and redistribution layers require the same level of contamination protection as traditional processes, opening a new demand channel for pellicle suppliers in the growing OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) segment.
Recent Market Trends: Innovation and Collaboration Reshape the Landscape
The EUV pellicle market is undergoing a significant transformation driven by advanced materials and strategic collaborations. The shift from single-layer polysilicon to multi-layer MoSi/Si composites has been a game-changer, improving EUV transmittance to over 90% and enabling foundries to achieve 15-20% reductions in mask defect rates for sub-7nm nodes. Concurrently, the surge in AI applications—with over 65% of AI accelerator chips now made using EUV—is intensifying demand. This is complemented by strategic partnerships reshaping the competitive landscape; notably, ASML's licensing agreement with Mitsui Chemicals for high-transmittance films and S&S Tech's achievement of 90.2% EUVT are critical milestones preparing the market for high-NA EUV systems. Collaborative R&D models, such as Imec's work with Canatu on CNT membranes, are essential for overcoming material science bottlenecks and meeting the aggressive timelines for 2nm process nodes and beyond.
List of Key EUV Pellicle Manufacturers:
Mitsui Chemicals (Japan)
S&S Tech (South Korea)
Canatu (Finland)
TSMC (Taiwan)
FST (South Korea)
ASML (Netherlands)
Applied Materials (USA)
Lam Research (USA)
Tokyo Electron (Japan)
Regional Analysis: A Global Perspective
Asia-Pacific: Dominates the global EUV pellicle market, driven by semiconductor powerhouses like Taiwan (TSMC), South Korea (Samsung), and Japan. The region's rapid adoption of EUV for sub-7nm chips fuels the highest volume consumption, despite challenges from geopolitical tensions and supply chain dynamics.
North America: A key player led by the U.S., where strong semiconductor R&D and investment in AI and high-performance computing drive demand for advanced pellicles. The region's focus on innovation supports the transition to next-generation nodes.
Europe: Characterized by its strong equipment manufacturing base, including ASML. Initiatives like the European Chips Act are boosting investments in semiconductor sovereignty, driving demand for high-quality pellicles and fostering a focus on sustainable material solutions.
South America & MEA: These regions are in the nascent stages of market development. While lacking extensive manufacturing infrastructure, countries like Israel and Brazil are showing interest in semiconductor technology, with long-term growth dependent on future investments and global partnerships.
About the Report
This comprehensive report from 24chemicalresearch provides a detailed analysis of the global EUV Pellicle market from 2024 to 2031. It includes:
Precise market size estimations and forecasts by value and volume.
Detailed segmentation by type (≥90% transmittance, <90% transmittance), application (Foundry, IDM), material (MoSi/Si, CNT), and technology generation.
In-depth regional analysis covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.
Profiling of key players with data on product specifications, production capacity, financials, and strategic initiatives.
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About 24chemicalresearch
Founded in 2015, 24chemicalresearch is a premier provider of market intelligence for the chemical and materials industries. Serving over 30 Fortune 500 companies, we deliver data-driven insights through rigorous primary and secondary research. Our services include plant-level capacity tracking, real-time price monitoring, and techno-economic feasibility studies, all designed to help clients achieve their strategic objectives with accuracy and foresight.
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->Global EUV Pellicle market was valued at USD 72 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 163 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period.
-> Key players include Mitsui Chemicals, S&S Tech, Canatu, TSMC, and FST, among others.
-> Key growth drivers include rising demand for sub-7nm chips, increasing adoption of EUV lithography, and advancements in semiconductor manufacturing technologies.
-> Asia-Pacific is the dominant market, driven by semiconductor manufacturing hubs in South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.
-> Emerging trends include development of carbon nanotube (CNT) pellicles, multi-layer material structures, and improvements in EUV transmittance above 90%.