Silicon on Insulator Market by Wafer Size (200 mm and less than 200 mm, 300 mm), Wafer Type (RF-SOI, FD-SOI, Power-SOI, Emerging-SOI), Technology (Smart Cut), Product (MEMS Devices, RF FEM Products), Application and Region - Global Forecast to 2027
The global Silicon on Insulator Market size is projected to reach USD 2.9 billion by 2027 from an estimated USD 1.4 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 15.0% from 2022 to 2027.
Surging adoption of FD-SOI in IoT devices and ML applications and establishment of facilities to enhance SOI production are among the factors driving the growth of the SOI market.
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Silicon on Insulator Market Dynamics
Driver: Rising demand for 5G in mobile communications
5G services began in 2019, with 6G projected in 2030. 5G is a significant step from 4G, boasting ten times the reaction and data transmission speeds. Furthermore, its speed, low latency, and reliability will open numerous applications. Power amplifiers, switches, adjustable capacitors, and filters are commonly found in radiofrequency (RF) front-end modules (FEM) found in smartphones and tablets. Mobile devices use RF silicon-on-insulator (RF-SOI) to adjust and hold cellular signals, giving them clear connections from a wider range of locations. SOI wafers continue to be popular in the mobile market because they provide low insertion loss, minimal harmonics, and strong linearity over a wide frequency range at a reasonable cost. Emerging technologies such as FD-SOI/RF-SOI can help systems deliver high speed/bandwidth at low power. Thus, the rising demand for 5G in mobile communications is expected to accelerate market growth.
Restraint: Certain disadvantages of SOI wafers hampers the growth
There are several disadvantages associated with SOI wafers—reduced breakdown voltage, floating body, and self-heating effects in SOI wafer-based devices. Reduced breakdown voltage levels severely limit the maximum supply voltage at which SOI wafer-based circuits and devices can operate. When the parasitic device turns on, the SOI wafer-based transistor cannot be switched off by changing the gate bias.
In SOI wafer-based devices, the body terminal is either tied to the gate or left free for floating, called a floating body. The floating body is supposed to reduce power consumption and improve device efficiency. However, the floating body effect acts as a major parasitic effect in SOI-MOSFETs and is a consequence of the complete isolation of the transistor from the substrate. The effect is related to the build-up of a positive charge in the silicon body of the transistor, originating from the holes created by impact ionization. This charge cannot be removed rapidly enough, primarily because no contact with the Si film (body) is available.
Opportunity: Surging adoption of FD-SOI in IoT devices and ML applications
The increasing use of FD-SOI in digital electronics creates opportunities for new IoT devices and applications as this technology ensures ultra-low power consumption, ultra-low current leakage, small and dense packaging, and the cost-efficiency of IoT devices. FD-SOI wafer-based devices have reverse bias characteristics, which help them operate at low voltages without area or cost penalties. Hence, FD-SOI is the most effective technique used in IoT devices. The increasing deployment of FD-SOI-based IoT solutions in automotive and network infrastructure applications is expected to provide opportunities for the growth of the SOI market. FD-SOI is also gaining ground in machine learning. ML techniques can significantly speed up the design space exploration for power devices, eventually reducing product-to-market time. Moreover, the breakdown voltage prediction using machine learning models in SOI wafer-based devices can dramatically shorten the inference time.
Challenge: Process control in SOI wafers and circuit design complexity
The complex semiconductor manufacturing process poses hurdles in establishing the processes required for next-generation SOI technology, reducing the process’s systematic errors. Another issue with SOI has been circuit design, which necessitates new techniques from a technical standpoint. The SOI circuit designer must better understand the underlying device physics and processes; not doing so will present challenges during fabrication due to manufacturing and metrology problems.
By wafer type, FD-SOI of Silicon on Insulator Market to grow with the highest CAGR in the forecast period
The FD-SOI wafers segment of silicon on insulator market is anticipated to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Market growth is driven by their advantages—high flexibility, easy implementation, low cost, less complexity, reduced leakage currents, and their ability to optimize power/performance tradeoffs. Several FD-SOI wafer manufacturers are focusing on product launches and collaborations with other players in the silicon on insulator market to strengthen their product portfolio and cater to the increasing demand for FD-SOI wafers. For instance, in August 2022, Google is expanding its open-source chip development effort with Skywater Technology, a US foundry, to a 90 nm FD-SOI technology.
MEMS devices of Silicon on Insulator Market is expected to record the highest CAGR in the forecast period
The MEMS devices segment of silicon on insulator market is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the MEMS devices segment is attributed to the rising use of SOI wafers in MEMS devices for consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial applications. Additionally, the presence of many ecosystem players providing SOI wafer-based MEMS and their continuous development have bolstered market growth.
Consumer electronics accounted for the largest size of the Silicon on Insulator market in 2021
SOI-based wafers are used in consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, wearables, laptops, cable modems, televisions, and set-top boxes to reduce their size, lower their power consumption, increase their operational speed, and extend their battery life, among others. These wafers also offer enhanced performance and are less dependent on device temperature. SOI-based microprocessors also require lesser space than conventional embedded memory. As a result, the demand for SOI in consumer electronics is increasing rapidly. In 2021, the consumer electronics segment accounted for the largest share of the silicon on insulator market.
By 2027, Silicon on Insulator Market in Asia Pacific is projected to grow with the fastest CAGR in the forecast period
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure
The silicon on insulator market in APAC is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Market growth is attributed to the rising demand for consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart wearables. Moreover, government investments and expansions of several semiconductor foundry players and wafer manufacturers contribute to market growth
Top Silicon on Insulator Companies - Key Market Players
Soitec (France), Shin-Etsu Chemical (Japan), GlobalWafers (Taiwan), SUMCO Corporation (Japan), Shanghai Simgui Technology (China), GlobalFoundries (US), STMicroelectronics (Switzerland), Tower Semiconductor (Israel), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), Murata Manufacturing (Japan), are some of the silicon on insulator companies.
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Report Metric |
Details |
Estimated Market Size |
1.4 billion |
Projected Market Size |
2.9 billion |
Growth Rate |
15.0% |
Market Size Availability for Years |
2018–2027 |
Base Year |
2021 |
Forecast Period |
2022–2027 |
Forecast Units |
Value (USD) |
Segments Covered |
By wafer size, wafer type, technology, product, application, and region |
Geographies Covered |
North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific |
Companies Covered |
Soitec (France), Shin-Etsu Chemical (Japan), GlobalWafers (Taiwan), SUMCO Corporation (Japan), Shanghai Simgui Technology (China), GlobalFoundries (US), STMicroelectronics (Switzerland), Tower Semiconductor (Israel), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), Murata Manufacturing (Japan), Skyworks Solutions (US), Qorvo (US), Sony Group (Japan), Magnachip Semiconductor Corp (South Korea), United Microelectronics Corporation (Taiwan), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (Taiwan), Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (VIS) (Taiwan), Silicon Valley Microelectronics (US), EV Group (US), and Ultrasil (US), are some of the key players in the silicon on insulator market. |
Silicon on Insulator (SOI) Market Highlights
This research report categorizes the silicon on insulator market based on type, product, application, and region.
Aspect |
Details |
Based on Thickness |
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Based on Wafer Size |
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Based on Wafer Type |
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Based on Technology |
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Based on Product |
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Based on Application |
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Based on Region |
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Recent Developments
- In April 2022, The companies established a new partnership to define the industry’s next-generation roadmap for FD-SOI (completely depleted silicon-on-insulator) technology.
- In June 2021, STMicroelectronics N.V. introduced the Stellar SR6 automotive microcontroller (MCUs). It uses ST’s FD-SOI process technology to ensure high reliability and availability for ISO 26262 functional-safety applications up to ASIL-D.
- In March 2021, NXP introduced i.MX 8ULP, i.MX 8ULP-CS (cloud secured), and next-generation i.MX 9 series of high-performance intelligent applications processors.
- In September 2020, GlobalFoundries launched its FDX platform, 22FDX+, designed to meet the low-power requirements of connected devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Which are the major companies in the silicon on insulator market? What are their major strategies to strengthen their market presence?
The major companies in the silicon on insulator market are – Soitec (France), Shin-Etsu Chemical (Japan), GlobalWafers (Taiwan), SUMCO Corporation (Japan), Shanghai Simgui Technology (China), GlobalFoundries (US), STMicroelectronics (Switzerland), Tower Semiconductor (Israel), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), and Murata Manufacturing (Japan). The major strategies adopted by these players product launches, expansions, partnerships, agreements, and contracts.
Which is the potential market for silicon on insulator in terms of the region?
Europe region is expected to dominate the silicon on insulator market as the region is also a hub for the end-use industry, including automotive companies such as BMW, DAF, Daimler AG, Ferrari, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, the Volkswagen Group, and the Volvo Group, which has ensured strong demand.
Who are the winners in the global silicon on insulator market?
Companies such as Soitec, Shin-Etsu Chemical, GlobalWafers, SUMCO Corporation, and Shanghai Simgui Technology fall under the winner’s category. These companies cater to the requirements of their customers by providing technological advanced SOI wafers. Moreover, these companies have vast geographical presence and various strategic developments. Such advantages give these companies an edge over other SOI ecosystem players.
What are the drivers and opportunities for the silicon on insulator market?
Factors such as rising demand for 5G in mobile communications and rise in demand and increasing demand for SOI wafer-based energy-efficient smart devices are among the driving factors of the SOI market. Moreover, surging adoption of FD-SOI in IoT devices and ML applications to create lucrative opportunities in the silicon on insulator market.
Who are the major end users of SOIs that are expected to drive the growth of the market in the next 5 years?
The major end users for SOI wafers are consumer electronics, automotive, and datacom and telecom are expected to have a significant share in this market.
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The study involved four major activities in estimating the size of the SOI market. Exhaustive secondary research has been carried out to collect information on the market, the peer markets, and the parent market. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been employed to estimate the total market size. Market breakdown and data triangulation methods have also been used to estimate the market for segments and subsegments.
Secondary Research
Revenues of companies offering SOI have been obtained from the secondary data available through paid and unpaid sources. The revenues have also been derived by analyzing the product portfolio of key companies, and these companies have been rated according to the performance and quality of their products.
In the secondary research process, various sources have been referred to for identifying and collecting information for this study on the SOI market. Secondary sources considered for this research study include government sources; corporate filings (such as annual reports, investor presentations, and financial statements); and trade, business, and professional associations. Secondary data has been collected and analyzed to arrive at the overall market size, which has been further validated through primary research.
Secondary research has been mainly used to obtain key information about the supply chain of SOIs to identify key players based on their products and prevailing industry trends in the SOI market by wafer size, wafer type, technology, product, application, and region. Secondary research also helped obtain market information- and technology-oriented key developments undertaken by market players to expand their presence and increase their market share.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research has been conducted after understanding and analyzing the current scenario of the SOI market through secondary research. Several primary interviews have been conducted with the key opinion leaders from demand and supply sides across four main regions—North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Approximately 25% of the primary interviews have been conducted with the demand-side respondents, while approximately 75% have been conducted with the supply-side respondents. The primary data has been collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews
After interacting with industry experts, brief sessions were conducted with highly experienced independent consultants to reinforce the findings from our primaries. This, along with the in-house subject matter experts’ opinions, has led us to the findings as described in the remainder of this report. The breakdown of primary respondents is as follows:
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure
Market Size Estimation
The bottom-up approach has been employed to arrive at the overall size of the SOI market from the revenue of key players and their market shares
- Identifying the number of SOI wafers shipped at the global level
- Identifying average selling prices of SOI wafers shipped globally
- Conducting multiple discussion sessions with key opinion leaders to understand different SOI wafers and their deployment in multiple products and applications; analyzing the break-up of the work carried out by each key company
- Verifying and crosschecking estimates at every level with key opinion leaders, including chief executive officers (CEO), directors, and operation managers, and then finally with the domain experts of MarketsandMarkets
- Studying various paid and unpaid sources of information, such as annual reports, press releases, white papers, and databases, of the company- and region-specific developments undertaken in the SOI market
The top-down approach has been used to estimate and validate the total size of the SOI market.
- Focusing initially on the top-line investments and expenditures in the SOI ecosystem, further splitting into wafer size, wafer type, technology, product, application, and listing key developments in key market areas
- Identifying all major players offering a variety of SOI wafers for different wafer sizes, wafer types, technologies, products, and applications, later verified through secondary research and a brief discussion with industry experts
- Analyzing revenues, product mix, geographic presence, and key applications for which all identified players offer SOI wafers to estimate and arrive at the percentage splits for all key segments
- Discussing these splits with the industry experts to validate the information and identify key growth domains across all key segments
- Breaking down the total market based on verified splits and key growth domains across all segments
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall market size through the process explained above, the overall market has been split into several segments. To complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for all the segments, the market breakdown and data triangulation procedures have been employed, wherever applicable. The data has been triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both demand and supply sides. The market has also been validated using both top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Report Objectives
- To describe, segment, and forecast the size of the global silicon-on-insulator (SOI) market, by wafer size, wafer type, technology, product, and application, in terms of value
- To describe and forecast the global SOI market in terms of volume
- To describe different SOI wafers based on their thickness
- To describe and forecast the market size across three key regions, namely, North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific (APAC), in terms of value
- To provide detailed information regarding drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the SOI market
- To provide a detailed overview of the supply chain in the SOI ecosystem, along with the average selling prices of SOI wafers
- To strategically analyze the ecosystem, tariffs and regulations, patent landscape, trade landscape, and case studies pertaining to the market under study
- To strategically analyze micromarkets with regard to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions to the overall market
- To analyze opportunities in the market for stakeholders and provide details regarding the competitive landscape of the market
- To analyze competitive developments such as product launches, expansions, partnerships, collaborations, contracts, and mergers and acquisitions in the SOI market
- To strategically profile the key players in the SOI market and comprehensively analyze their market ranking and core competencies
Available customizations:
With the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to the specific requirements of companies. The following customization options are available for the report:
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players based on various blocks of the supply chain
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Silicon on Insulator Market
Need following information 1. 200mm prime wafer historical pricing & future pricing trends per wafer type : Epi wafer (p/p-, p/p+ type), polished wafer (p type), annealed wafer, monitor wafer (N type), SOI wafer 2. World wide top 10 silicon supplier / manufacturer status / new product launches.
If you would like to provide the report with great discount for the education purpose that lets future engineers recognize SOI's key role in microelectronic industry, please let me know.
Hello, I just wonder if there is any benefit on Automotive OEM manufacturers by using specific IC which is made on SOI wafer. I fully understand some benefit on IC maker side and Tier1 or 2 side and same for OEM. But need to gain more information.
I would like to know the market size and growth of SOI semiconductor as well as the major product applications and TAM.
We had purchased the report a few months back. We have some queries on the market and would like to speak to the analyst. Kindly connect with me as soon as possible.
Hi, we need sections 1, 2, 4, and 7 for our Technology Management Program class on microchips.
I see a huge difference between your 2018 report and the one of April 2017 on the same subject (SOI); in particular the alternative technologies to smart cut like Eltran. Could you explain ?
Interested in understanding if you cover the market share of RF SOI foundries (e.g., what percent of an RF SOI foundry is used by company X vs Y vs Z)
Hi, I am wondering if you make discounts for start-ups as we are interested in your report.
Need help for our SOI technology development study. Requirement is for market size by SOI type, application and wafer size.
Please let me know more about this report. My focus is to understand the RFSOI TAM and who are the chip makers (RFMD/Skyworks/etc.) and their potential growth beyond 2019.