WELLESLEY, Mass., Sept. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
The global market for thick film devices increased from $56.8 billion in 2015 to $60.8 billion in 2016, and has the potential to reach $66.5 billion by the end of this year, according to an industry report by BCC Research. Energy devices account for the largest share of the market, totalling about $43.6 billion in 2017.
Thick film technology allows for thin coatings and layers (as low as 5 microns) at a low cost using equipment which is easy to maintain and operate as well as processes which can easily be adapted for mass production. Applications cover the automotive, communication, computer, medical, and public infrastructure industries. In general, the films are less than one-quarter the diameter of a strand of human hair.
Growth over the next five years is projected to be robust, the analysis states, and is due to increasing demand for solar cells, rising investment in public and private infrastructure and communication projects, and growth in printed, flexible, and stretchable devices such as sensors and displays. The total market for thick film devices is forecast to grow 10.6% annually from 2017 through 2022, reaching global revenues of nearly $110.3 billion by 2022, according to the report Thick Film Devices, Processes and Applications.
Leaders in the field include DuPont, General Motors, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Murata Manufacturing, SunPower Corp., Taiyo Yuden, Epcos AG, and Apple, Inc.
Research Highlights
- Since the 1980s, the thin film industry has grown at a faster pace than the thick film sector, though thick films still account for nearly a half of the total advanced film market.
- Though down from its peak in the early 1990s, patent applications and awards are still growing rapidly, with rates of 9.7% annually between 2010 and 2016.
- Energy and electronic devices comprise the largest segments of the market and are estimated to account for a combined 94.4% of the industry in 2017.
“During the past 70 years, deposition of thick, thin and ultrathin films has been the driving force behind device miniaturization and has contributed to the rapid growth of many industry sectors including, first and foremost, electronics,” said report author and BCC Research analyst Margareth Gagliardi. "Thick films remain a popular technology for fabrication of various types of devices, primarily due to their low production costs.”
Asia-Pacific Region Leads in Market Share
The Asia-Pacific region currently is and will continue to lead the global market for thick film devices. Total market share there will be $27.2 billion in 2017 and is projected to rise to $50.4 billion by 2022, for an annual growth rate of 13.1%. Europe represents the second-largest market, with a total share of $32.1 billion by 2022 and annual growth of 6.7%, followed by the United States, with a total market of $12.7 billion by 2022 and annual growth of 8.8%. Nations outside those three regions, however, are expected to grow the fastest, with annual growth between 2017 and 2022 topping 14%, and an estimated 2022 market value of $14.9 billion. In these areas, thick film devices will primarily consist of solar cells.
About BCC Research
BCC Research is a publisher of market research reports that provide organizations with intelligence to drive smart business decisions. By partnering with industry experts worldwide, BCC Research provides unbiased measurements and assessments of global markets covering major industrial and technology sectors, including emerging markets. For more information about BCC Research, please visit bccresearch.com. Follow BCC Research on Twitter at @BCCResearch.