Europe Silicon Wafer Market by Material: Forecast 2017-2025
Introduction
The European silicon wafer market — specifically by material type (P-type and N-type) — offers a valuable window into the broader health and trajectory of the semiconductor supply chain in the region. A recently published chart shows the forecast from 2017 through 2025 for the European market by material type. In this article we’ll unpack what the numbers say, dig into the drivers behind the trends, highlight implications for stakeholders and wrap up with what to watch going forward.
The Material Transcript: P-Type and N-Type
According to the data for Europe:
In 2017 the P-type segment is estimated at US$1,292.6 million; N-type at US$900.2 million.
By 2018: P-type ~ US$1,342.3 million; N-type ~ US$950.0 million.
2019: P-type ~ US$1,385.8 million; N-type ~ US$996.7 million.
2020: P-type ~ US$1,391.5 million; N-type ~ US$1,016.8 million.
2021: P-type ~ US$1,398.7 million; N-type ~ US$1,038.2 million.
2022: P-type ~ US$1,416.7 million; N-type ~ US$1,068.1 million.
2023: P-type ~ US$1,440.8 million; N‐type ~ US$1,103.1 million.
2024: P-type ~ US$1,473.4 million; N‐type ~ US$1,145.5 million.
2025 (forecast): P‐type ~ US$1,527.4 million; N‐type ~ US$1,205.5 million.The source states that the P-type segment held the larger share in 2018 and is projected to reach ~US$1,527.4 million by 2025, while the N-type segment is expected to grow faster (at a CAGR of ~3.22% from 2019-2025) versus P‐type’s ~1.63%.
What This Trend Means
1. Dominance of P-Type, but N-Type catching up.The P-type wafers continue to hold the larger absolute market size in Europe, reflecting their longstanding use in many established semiconductor and solar applications. That said, the faster growth rate of N-type implies that material upgrades, newer applications or shifting supply chains are gradually giving N-type a stronger position.
2. Moderate overall growth.The market is expanding modestly — the P-type growth is slower (~1.6%) and N-type more modest (~3.2%) by the chart’s estimates over the forecast window. This suggests that in Europe the wafer‐material segment is mature, with limited breakout growth, and perhaps reflects constraints or saturation in some end-uses.
3. Implications for equipment, supply chain, and materials.The differences by material type matter. N-type wafers often come into play for higher-efficiency solar cells, advanced power devices, or next‐generation electronics. The fact that N-type is growing faster could signal a gradual shift of investment or product mix towards higher-end materials in Europe. For equipment makers, raw-material suppliers and wafer manufacturers this can mean re‐tooling, adjustments in doping, crystalline processes or wafer size/mix.
Why Is This Happening? Drivers & Context
Technological evolution & demand shifts.Even though the chart covers 2017-2025, other research shows that the global silicon wafer market is being influenced by growth in electric vehicles, Internet of Things, 5G, advanced electronics and solar photovoltaics. These drive demand for more advanced wafers (which may favour N‐type).Regional strategic factors.Europe has been striving to strengthen its semiconductor ecosystem. For example, legislative and policy efforts aim to boost local manufacturing of chips and associated materials. Such structural moves can support steady demand for wafers.