Sputtering Equipment Cathode Market Analysis Report By Product, By Region And Segment Forecasts From 2018 To 2025

Industry Insights

The global sputtering equipment cathode market size was accounted for USD 840.3 million in 2017. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% over the forecasted period, 2018 to 2025. In the semiconductor industry, growing sputtering coating applications are projected to be a key factor driving the market growth. 

The growing adoption of artificial intelligence especially across industries such as aerospace and electronics is estimated to propel market growth. Additionally, the rising trend of gaming with the adoption of virtual reality is projected to boost the growth of the market.

In the U.S., the public transport sector is expected to bolster the demand for fuel-based cells, which in turn is projected to proliferate the need for fuel cell coating. Moreover, increasing preference towards magnetron sputtering especially from the automobile industry is also projected to support market growth. 

Furthermore, in magnetron sputtering, the innovation of the confocal sputtering technique is estimated to surge the market growth. This process improves equipment efficiency with the use of different magnetron and cathode materials. All these key factors are anticipated to propel the demand for sputtering equipment. 

The increasing need for technical and industry-related knowledge in the market is causing high entry costs that also reduce the threat from new entrants. Moreover, the presence of a large number of domestic players is increasing the competition among players. 

Several initiatives including investment in R&D activities by key industry players for developing an advanced manufacturing process are expected to support market growth. In addition, technological advancement & new product innovations are also expected to positively impact sputtering equipment cathode market growth.

Key players in the market engage in adopting innovative strategies for developing materials, and cathode technologies to remain competitive in the market. Thus, several players have invested in product development to enhance material purity, homogeneity, and uniformity. 

Cathode sputtering equipment does not have any substitute for the cathode. Moreover, the adoption of different technologies including thermal evaporation may hinder the market growth. 

Product Insights

Based on the product, the sputtering equipment cathode market is fragmented into circular and linear. In 2017, the circular cathode segment held the highest share in the overall market. These cathodes are highly used for the coating of the substrate through a rotating tube. In 2017, the segment contributed over USD 636.9 million in terms of revenue. 

Growing applications in advanced materials such as silicon dioxides, niobium pentoxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, and silicon nitride are projected to boost market growth. The circular cathode is also used in the coating of temperature-sensitive material. 

Linear cathode provides a high deposition rate and is used in large sputtering systems. To attain greater uniformity these cathodes are used to integrate large production clusters. These key benefits are expected to contribute to segmental growth. The linear cathode can sustain low gas pressure with the help of desired thin-film metallization. Additionally, a linear magnetron cathode offers a high deposition rate than the general diode configuration. 

Sputter depositions are widely used in numerous applications like web coatings, decorative, automotive coatings, anti-reflecting, and architectural coatings. Additionally, this product is utilized in integrated circuit (IC) technology and hard disks production applications. 

Changing prices and coating efficiency are anticipated to impact market growth. However, some of the key players in the industry engage in developing new products like physical vapors deposition processes in metal and semiconductor manufacturing. 

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific is projected to lead the sputtering equipment cathode market by 2025. Rising semiconductor production across countries such as India, South Korea, Taiwan, and China. In addition, growing application from medical equipment and solar PV for PVD coatings is projected to bolster the product demand in the next few years.

China is estimated to have the largest automotive production in the next few years. This is expected to positively impact the market growth of sputtering equipment. Moreover, the increasing adoption of electric vehicles is anticipated to bolster the product demand.

Europe is projected to foresee significant growth due to rising demand from PVD coatings. Furthermore, owing to the ban on the use of chromium is also supporting the growth of the market.

In Japan, technological advancement in the field of robotics is expected to play a key role in the growth of sputtering equipment. Furthermore, the growing need for semiconductor chips is estimated to foster the growth of sputtering cathodes.

Impact of COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the market. Most of the semiconductor manufacturing firms are located in China. However, due to coronavirus, these companies were shut down during January and April 2020. This has disrupted the supply chain of electronics and semiconductor chips.

The demand for sputtering equipment is on the declining trend due to the coronavirus crisis. However, the market is projected to recover at a good rate as the manufacturing facilities are gradually opening with partial removal of lockdown. Technology suppliers are projected to encourage sputtering equipment manufacturers to develop new products to meet consumer demands.

Sputtering Equipment Cathode Market Share Insights

The market is highly competitive in nature due to the presence of local players. Leading players in the market include Veeco Instruments; AJA International Inc.; Impact Coating AB; Sputtering Components Inc; PVD Products; and Angstrom Sciences Inc.

The companies in the market engage in technology innovations, new product development to enhance the metallization process. Similarly, key players focus on investing in technology-driven solutions.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For this study, Million Insights has segmented the global sputtering equipment cathode market report based on product and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)
    • Linear
    • Circular

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)
    • North America
        • U.S.
        • Canada
        • Mexico
    • Europe
        • Germany
        • U.K.
        • France
    • The Asia Pacific
        • China
        • India
        • Japan
    • Central & South America
        • Brazil
    • Middle East & Africa
        • South Africa