The global high purity quartz market was valued at US$ 728.11 Mn in 2017 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2018 to 2026, according to a new report titled High Purity Quartz Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 20182026 published by Transparency Market Research (TMR) Rise in the demand for semiconductors is driving the market. Asia Pacific accounts for a major share of the global high purity quartz market, led by increase in the usage of high purity quartz in the manufacture of semiconductors in the region.
High purity quartz products are ideal for use in the semiconductor industry, due to their superior quality and excellent purity. High purity quartz is used in the semiconductor industry to produce crucibles and quartz glass products such as windows, rods, and tubes. High purity quartz is also used in the production of silicon metal, which is the base for semiconductor wafers manufactured by using the Czochralski process. Heartlands of the semiconductor production are Japan, Germany, South Korea, and California. Quartz Corp, a U.S.-based company, is capable to supply HPQ in these regions due to strategic location of its offices in the U.S. and Europe and strong team of sales and marketing in Asia. High purity quartz enables parts of a semiconductor to withstand extreme temperatures of wafer processing. Rising use of new-generation wafers in semiconductors is driving the demand for high purity quartz. Semiconductors are mostly used in the electronics industry. It is the most preferred material of choice to enhance the performance of products. This, in turn, would fuel the use of high purity quartz in the semiconductor industry in the next few years.
High demand from the solar industry
High purity quartz (HPQ) is a special feedstock and it is used in industries that have high-tech applications, for example, the solar industry. High purity quartz sand is the most cost-effective solution to meet the consistently increasing requirements, in terms of quality, in the solar industry. The solar industry has gained high significance recently, as solar power is a source of renewable energy. Several countries across the globe are undertaking solar projects so as to save on non-renewable sources of energy. Solar power involves the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. Most solar power installations have been carried out in China and India. The raw material employed to produce crucibles for use in the solar cell industry is high purity quartz (HPQ) sand. High purity quartz is used in several manners in the manufacture of c-Si cells and modules including in crucibles; in quartz glass for tubes, rods, and widows; and in silicon metal. Thus, growth of the solar industry is projected to fuel the global market for high purity quartz during the forecast period.
Specifications related to different applications and high prices
High purity quartz is one of the most important minerals, especially for microelectronics and electronics industries. However, high purity quartz faces the issue of presence of impurities. This has prompted several electronics companies to either buy low-purity grade of high purity quartz or find substitutes. High prices of high purity quartz and ultra-high purity quartz act as a restraint of the market. The price of high purity quartz starts from US$ 5,000 per ton, and they can even be priced higher than US$ 5,000 per ton. Prices are high, as major producers are privately held and they sell HPQ on a contract basis. Purity and demand levels are important price determinants, as the material is sold primarily to Asia-based crucible manufacturers, most of which are located in China.
Asia Pacific dominates global high purity quartz market
Asia Pacific dominated the global market for high purity quartz in 2017, in terms of both revenue and volume. Increasing number of solar plants and fabrication plants in the region drives the market in Asia Pacific. China and Japan hold a major share of the Asia Pacific market, owing to presence of promising semiconductor industry in these countries. Latin America, especially Brazil, is projected to be an emerging market for high purity quartz during the forecast period. The market in Europe and North America is estimated to expand at a significant pace during the forecast period, due to presence of well-established manufacturers of high purity quartz in these regions. The high purity quartz market in Middle East & Africa is anticipated to expand between 2018 and 2026, due to rise in the demand for high purity quartz in the semiconductor industry in the region.
High degree of competition among established players
Key players profiled in the report on the global high purity quartz market are The Quartz Corporation, Sibelco, Jiangsu Pacific Quartz Co., Ltd., Momentive Performance Materials Inc., High Purity Quartz Pty Ltd, Russian Quartz, I-Minerals Inc., Creswick Quartz, and Nordic Mining ASA.
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