Silicon On Insulator Market Report

Market Insights

“The global silicon on insulator market is expected to grow from USD 1.55 billion in 2024 to USD 3.36 billion by 2030, at a healthy CAGR of 13.8% during 2025-2030.”

Market Dynamics

Introduction:

Silicon on Insulator (SOI) is a chip fabrication method where a thin silicon layer is constructed over an insulating material rather than on a solid silicon substrate. This configuration reduces unwanted electrical interference, enabling chips to operate faster, consume less power, and generate less heat. SOI is particularly beneficial in high-speed and energy-efficient devices like smartphones, smart sensors, and sophisticated automotive systems. The growing application of smartphones, tablets, and laptops for e-learning purposes has been one of the key drivers of the global demand for silicon-on-insulators over the past few years.

Market Drivers:

Growing Need for Technological Advancements in Consumer Electronics

The Silicon on Insulator (SOI) industry is driven primarily by the increasing demand for technological innovations in consumer electronics. Consumers today expect high performance from smartphones, tablets, wearables, and smart home devices, all within increasingly compact and thermally constrained spaces and consuming less power. SOI chips provide low power consumption; therefore, they are ideal for wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers with compact size and long battery life.

With 5G connectivity, AI-based features, and edge computing, SOI-based chips deliver the required performance boosts while reducing heat and power consumption. For instance, Fully Depleted SOI (FD-SOI) technology allows reduced power consumption while maintaining high performance, which is particularly useful in mobile and IoT devices that need energy efficiency without sacrificing speed.

Market Challenges:

Fragility of SOI Wafers

The application of SOI-based thin and ultra-thin wafers in IC manufacturing is on the rise across the world. Thin wafers are, however, prone to damage upon pressure or stress. During the internal wafer thinning process, the dies produced from thin wafers tend to break. SOI wafers are more prone to cracking or fracturing under stress or pressure compared to regular wafers. When producing SOI wafers through processes such as Smart Cut or SIMOX, the surface of the wafer might not be clean and may generate defects, like dislocations or voids, resulting in low mechanical strength of the wafers. Thus, SOI wafers are more susceptible to mechanical stress and damage during handling and processing, which presents a significant challenge to this market.

Market Opportunities:

Utility of SOI Technology in IoT Devices

The utility of SOI technology in IoT devices presents a significant market opportunity for the Fully Depleted Silicon on Insulator (FD-SOI) market, driven by the need for ultra-low power consumption, low current leakage, high performance, cost-effectiveness, and miniaturization. The hardware architecture of FD-SOI enables it to operate at very low power modes, which makes it ideal for wearable devices, sensors, and smart devices. Moreover, FD-SOI-based devices possess reverse bias properties, enabling them to run at low voltages without incurring any area or cost penalty. 

Recent Product Development:

• In July 2024, the US Department of Commerce funded GlobalWafers with USD 400 million to enhance its capacity for producing 300mm silicon wafers and increase the production of SOI wafers.
• In June 2024, SOITEC extended its collaboration with UMC to design the first 3D IC solution for Radio Frequency Silicon-on-Insulator (RF-SOI) technology for communicating 5G. With the extension, the die size was lowered by 45%, making it easier to integrate the RF components for satisfying the demand of bandwidth in 5G networks.

Market Segments' Analysis

By Product Type

“MEMS Devices segment will lead the SOI market with the largest share during the forecast period.”

In terms of product type, the silicon on insulator market is segmented into RF FEM products, MEMS devices, optical communication devices, and image sensing products. The MEMS devices segment will lead the SOI market with the largest share during the forecast period, driven by the rising adoption of SOI-based MEMS devices like sensors and actuators, for their superior electrical properties. SOI technology can be easily applied to conventional semiconductor manufacturing processes. It facilitates the integration of MEMS devices along with other electronic devices on the same chip, thereby opening possibilities for several multifunctional systems. SOI wafers ensure better thermal isolation, enhancing the reliability and stability of MEMS devices under adverse conditions, including automotive or aerospace environments.

By Application Type

 “Automotive segment will dominate the market with the highest growth rate during the forecast period.”

In terms of application, the SOI market is segmented into Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Datacom & Telecom, Industrial, Military, Defense, and Aerospace. Driven by the ability to operate at low power, the automotive segment will dominate the SOI market with the highest growth rate during the forecast period. SOI wafers support speed, power, and reliability in advanced automotive applications such as ADAS, Infotainment, and EV control systems. RF-SOI wafers are utilized for the production of the RF front-end modules and antennas. RF-SOI wafers increase 5G connectivity in automobiles for V2X and infotainment solutions. Moreover, the inclusion of SOI-based battery management systems (BMS) along with SOI in electric vehicles improves their battery performance, safety, and longevity.

Regional Analysis

“Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest growth rate during the forecast period.”

In terms of region, the silicon on insulator market is segmented into the North American region, the European region, the Asia-Pacific region, and the rest of the world. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period, driven by the expansion of 5G networks across the region, which in turn generates a higher demand for efficient semiconductor components. The demand for 5G networks and IoT has increased the demand for high-speed, low-power semiconductors as the coverage provided by SOI technology can provide improved operational performance, reduced power consumption, and high resistance. Moreover, the region has also seen an increase in demand for energy-efficient portable devices like smartphones and tablets, which has significantly fostered the demand for SOI technology. 

Key Players

Most of the major players compete in some of the factors, including price, service offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the Silicon on Insulator Market - 

• Soitec
• Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
• GlobalWafers
• Sumco Corporation
• Shanghai Simgui Technology Co., Ltd.
• GlobalFoundries
• STMicroelectronics
• Silicon Valley Microelectronics Inc.
• WaferPro
• Tower Semiconductors

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

Are you the leading player in this market? We would love to include your name. Please write to us at [email protected]

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

The Silicon on Insulator Market is segmented into the following categories. 

Silicon on Insulator Market, by Wafer Size Type

• Less than or Equal to 200mm (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• 300mm (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Silicon on Insulator Market, by Wafer Type

• RF-SOI (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Power-SOI (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• FD-SOI (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• PD-SOI (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Other Wafer Types (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Silicon on Insulator Market, by Technology Type

• Smart Cut SOI (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Bonding SOI (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Layer Transfer SOI (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Silicon on Insulator Market, by Product Type

• RF FEM Products (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• MEMS Devices (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Power Products (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Optical Communication Devices (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Image Sensing Products (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Silicon on Insulator Market, by Thickness Type

• Thin-film SOI Wafers (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Thick-film SOI Wafers (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Silicon on Insulator Market, by Application Type

• Consumer Electronics (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Automotive (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Datacom & Telecom (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Military, Defense, and Aerospace (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Industrial (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Silicon on Insulator Market, by Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, Italy, The UK, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s Silicon on Insulator market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. 
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruits available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
• This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools.
• More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
• We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insight

Report Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across industries. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to [email protected]