Electronic specialty gases receiving a strong push: PMR

Amid growing concerns around the harmful environmental effects of fossil fuel powered, energy generation, governments around the world are emphasising the adoption of renewable power generation technologies. Out of the various renewable power generation technologies available, such as solar cells, wind turbines, hydro stations etc., and solar panels have emerged as the fastest growing renewable power option. Solar power installations doubled in capacity between 2016 and 2018 according to the International Energy Association, and accounted for 50 per cent of all new renewable power capacity additions in 2018. The low cost per kilowatt of energy generation, abundant availability of equipment such as solar panels and the highly decentralised nature of individual solar photo voltaic panel installations are the key factors that are driving this technology.

Electronic specialty gases are commonly used in the manufacturing of solar cells, which are the key building blocks of a solar panel and the backbone of the technology. Extremely thin semi conductive layers as well as insulating films are applied on panels and wafers in a process chamber during manufacturing of solar cells. Electronic specialty gases are used to clean these process chambers of any residue left by these films or layers and allow them to operate efficiently, playing a critical role in the overall process.  Rapid growth in the solar power sector in the coming decade is projected to drive continuing production of solar panels and thus influence the market demand for electronic specialty gases.

China is emerging as the front runner in electronic specialty gases on the backdrop of cost-effective labor and tax waivers according to study, the Chinese market is expected to be the most dominant market for electronic specialty gases globally due to the increasing number of semiconductor and electronic manufacturing units in the region. Increasing number of multinational companies engaged in the electronics industry are setting up production units in China owing to cheaper labor costs and additional benefits offered by the government in the form of tax cuts and waivers on additional overhead costs. Furthermore, the stable political scenario and the rapidly growing economy of China is also resulting in many companies moving to China from the western countries. In terms of value, nitrogen trifluoride, hydrogen chloride, sulfur hexafluoride and disilane are the products that account for a substantial portion of the market demand.

The large presence of semiconductor fabrication units as well the huge demand for electrical equipment such as transformers is projected to drive demand for the electronic specialty gases market in China.   The growing adoption of LED lighting technology Is projected to Aid the Growth of the electronic specialty gases market the ongoing miniaturisation of electronic devices and the influx of technologically advanced electronic devices such as wearable and palmtops is one of the key factors which is helping the growth of the semiconductor industry. The development of Liquid Crystal Display and LED display devices is also helping in the growth of the market.

The need for energy efficient electrical equipment for illumination such as LED lamps will continue to propel the growth of the electronic specialty gases market. Electronic specialty gases such as nitrogen trifluoride find increasing use in the manufacture of semiconductor industry products such as flat-panel displays and thin film solar cells.  Adoption of Environmental Friendly Products Is a key trend of the Electronic Specialty Gases market electronics and semiconductor device manufacturers have been using products such as perfluorinated compounds for their industrial processes. These compounds are toxic in nature as well as responsible for substantial greenhouse gas emissions.

However, with growing awareness of the need to reduce greenhouse emissions to mitigate the impact of global warming, they have begun adopting much more environmentally friendly products with lower emission rates. On-Site Generation: a key winning imperative in the global electronic specialty gases market the leading players in the production and supply of electronic specialty gases are offering on-site generation or separation plants to ensure continuous supply of high purity gases in order closely collaborate with their clients, ensuring long term partnerships.