Photoresist Electronic Chemical Global Market Report 2025

The photoresist electronic chemical market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $11.14 billion in 2024 to $12.01 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to semiconductor industry growth, advancements in microelectronics, increasing demand for consumer electronics, globalization of electronics manufacturing, integration of advanced materials.

The photoresist electronic chemical market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15.75 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to internet of things (iot) expansion, artificial intelligence (ai) and machine learning integration, electric vehicle (ev) revolution, focus on environmental sustainability, supply chain resilience. Major trends in the forecast period include miniaturization demand, emergence of advanced semiconductor technologies, green and sustainable practices, rise in iot devices, shift to 3d ic integration.

The forecast of 7% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by delaying semiconductor manufacturing, as high-purity photoresists from South Korea and Belgium face supply chain bottlenecks. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The rising electronic industry is anticipated to drive the growth of the photoresist electronic chemicals market in the foreseeable future. This industry, encompassing the design, development, manufacturing, and distribution of electronic components, devices, and systems, is a key driver for the demand for photoresist electronic chemicals. These chemicals play a critical role in the electronic industry, especially in the production of semiconductor devices and microelectronics. They contribute to defining precise patterns on semiconductor wafers, creating masks for ion implantation processes, and facilitating the photolithography process. For example, in January 2023, LG, a South Korea-based consumer electronics company, reported its highest-ever annual revenue, marking a 12.9% increase from 2021, surpassing $52.7 billion in sales. The revenue for the LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company in 2022 reached $22.5 billion, reflecting a 10.3% increase from the previous year. Therefore, the growth of the electronic industry serves as a driving force behind the expansion of the photoresist electronic chemicals market.

The increasing adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to boost the growth of the photoresist electronic chemical market. The IoT, a networked system of interconnected computing devices, mechanical and electronic machinery with unique identities (UIDs), operates without the need for human-to-human or human-to-computer contact. Specialized photoresist electronic chemicals play a vital role in IoT applications, supporting processes such as miniaturization, layer-to-layer alignment, and adhesion for stacked IoT devices. According to the State of IoT - Spring 2022 report by IoT Analytics in May 2022, there were 12.2 billion active endpoints in 2021, representing an 8% increase in the total number of IoT connections. The IoT industry is anticipated to experience an 18% increase, reaching 14.4 billion active connections in 2022. Hence, the rising adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is a significant driver for the photoresist electronic chemical market.

Major companies in the photoresist electronic chemicals market are focusing on advancements in dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) technology through collaborative efforts. These collaborations aim to enhance the performance of photoresists used in DRAM technology, thereby optimizing the overall manufacturing process. For example, in October 2024, Lam Research Corp., a US-based manufacturer of wafer fabrication equipment, and Entegris Inc., a US-based provider of electronic materials, partnered with Gelest, Inc. to advance semiconductor manufacturing. The collaboration focuses on developing precursor chemicals for Lam's advanced dry photoresist technology, which is employed in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. This partnership is dedicated to research and development for next-generation logic and DRAM devices, essential for advancing artificial intelligence and mobile technologies. Gelest Inc. is a US-based company specializing in photoresist electronic chemicals.

Photoresist electronic chemicals constitute a specialized class of chemicals expressly formulated for the application of photoresists in the generation of patterns and features on semiconductor wafers or substrates in the course of manufacturing electronic components and integrated circuits. These chemicals play a pivotal role in the photolithography process, which is fundamental to the production of integrated circuits (ICs) and other microelectronic devices.

The primary types of photoresist electronic chemicals are categorized as positive and negative. Positive photoresists are light-sensitive materials that experience increased solubility or undergo a chemical transformation upon exposure to light, enabling the selective patterning of semiconductor wafers or substrates. Various substrates utilized include silicon, glass, metal, among others. These chemicals find applications in diverse areas such as semiconductor manufacturing, printed circuit boards (PCBs), liquid crystal displays (LCD), micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). They cater to end users in sectors including the semiconductor industry, electronics industry, display industry, MEMS industry, and others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The escalating U.S. tariffs and rising trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to significantly affect the chemicals sector, which is facing a disproportionate impact - particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic alternatives are limited. Specialty chemical producers, who rely heavily on Chinese raw materials, are encountering production disruptions. Meanwhile, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing their profit margins squeezed due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are increasing investments in R&D for bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to strengthen purchasing power, and relocating production to tariff-neutral countries like Saudi Arabia.

The photoresist electronic chemical market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides photoresist electronic chemical market statistics, including photoresist electronic chemical industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a photoresist electronic chemical market share, detailed photoresist electronic chemical market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the photoresist electronic chemical industry. This photoresist electronic chemical market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

In June 2023, DIC Corporation, a Japan-based chemical company, acquired PCAS Canada Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, DIC aims to expedite its product development for advanced processes, make capital expenditures to enhance its supply capabilities, and establish a robust corporate structure. PCAS Canada Inc., a Canada-based company, specializes in the synthesis, development, and customization of photoresist electronic chemicals.

Major companies operating in the photoresist electronic chemical market report are BASF SE, Honeywell International Inc., Merck KGaA, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Hitachi Chemicals Co. Ltd., The Dow Chemical Company, LG Chem Ltd., Fujifilm Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., E.I. DuPont, Air Products And Chemicals Inc., Kolon Industries Inc., PhiChem Corporation, Eternal Chemical Co. Ltd., JSR Corporation, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co. Ltd., Electra Polymers Ltd., Ikonics Corp., Micro Resist Technology GmbH, Photo Sciences Inc., Jiangsu Kuangshun Photosensitivity New-Material Stock Co. Ltd., DJ Microlaminates Inc., Allresist GmbH, AZ Electronic Materials, Hitech Photopolymere AG, KemLab Inc., Kanto Chemical Co. Inc.

North America was the largest region in the photoresist electronic chemical market in 2024. The regions covered in the photoresist electronic chemical market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the photoresist electronic chemical market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The photoresist electronic chemicals market consists of sales of ceramic, quartz, and copper substrates. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.