Advanced IC Substrates Market By Type (FC BGA, FC CSP), By Application - Global Industry Outlook, Key Companies (Fujitsu, Unimicron Corp, JCET Group, and others), Trends and Forecast 2023-2032

The IC substrates, capable of bending & stretching, allow compact and power-efficient designs by including passive components directly. Ensuring the reliability of IC substrates is crucial, driving the development of advanced testing & inspection technologies. Integrating photonics with conventional electronic components on a single substrate enhances bandwidth & data transfer rates. 

Through-silicon vias (TSVs) connect integrated circuits, using performance in a space-efficient manner. Material science development contributes to substrates with enhanced heat conductivity, minimal signal loss, & heightened reliability for high-performance applications.

Key Takeaways

Market Dynamic

Advancements in IC technology drive the need for more powerful electronic gadgets like IoT devices, wearables, tablets, laptops, smartphones, and auto electronics, which need enhanced ICs to meet evolving customer & industry needs, mainly with the rising demand for fast data transmission in applications like streaming, gaming, & cloud computing. Advanced IC substrates play a vital role in supporting high-frequency & high-speed signal processing, ensuring efficient data flow within electronic devices. 

The need for specialized ICs is driven by innovations in technologies like AI, 5G, AR, and VR, requiring substrates capable of handling high performance & complexity. In addition, the growth of green energy technologies & the broad use of IoT gadgets drive the need for energy-efficient electronics, achievable with power-efficient ICs facilitated by advanced IC substrates.
However, the current supply chain faces challenges owing to globalization, with components sourced globally, making it vulnerable to disruptions from natural disasters, geopolitical unrest, or unforeseen events like pandemics. 

Also, many electronics firms, adopt a just-in-time inventory approach to minimize storage costs and maintain lesser buffer stocks, leaving little room for error during disruptions. To minimize supply chain risks, businesses may consider longer lead times and increased stocks, which with higher storage costs & an increased risk of obsolescence.

Research Scope and Analysis

By Type

The Advanced IC Substrates market segment based on type distinguishes between FC BGA & FC CSP, with FC BGA coming out as the leading category in 2023. FC BGA, a packaging technology, exceeds in connecting ICs directly to the substrate, significantly boosting performance. In this technology, the IC undergoes a flipping process, & its active side creates a connection with the substrate through small solder balls acting as conductive links, which brings out several benefits, like shorter signal paths, increased electrical efficiency, & improved thermal dissipation due to direct substrate contact. Particularly advantageous in space-constrained, high-density applications like smartphones, tablets, and high-performance computing systems, FC BGA technology proves its efficacy in meeting the demands of modern electronics.

By Application

The advanced IC substrates market is led by the mobile and consumer segment in 2023, driven by the significant impetus from the mobile sector. The growing demand for smartphones, tablets, & wearable technology has led to significant growth in the production of advanced IC substrates, important for smoothly integrating sophisticated semiconductor components into small, portable devices. 

Beyond mobile devices, the consumer electronics domain includes a variety of computers, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and digital cameras depending on advanced IC substrates for optimal functionality. Effective cooperation & integration within the semiconductor supply chain play a major role, with substrate producers closely collaborating with semiconductor foundries & packaging businesses to ensure smooth compatibility and performance.

Further, the IT & telecom segment emerged as the fastest-growing in the advanced IC substrates market. As integral components, integrated circuits (ICs) & substrates align with the continuous innovations in the IT &telecom industries. These substrates, serving as the foundation for semiconductor devices, facilitate increased densities, expanded functionality, & superior performance. The rise of data centers & the growing demand for cloud services have intensified the requirement for sophisticated IC substrates, which are critical for processing & storing large data.

The Advanced IC Substrates Market Report is segmented on the basis of the following:

By Type

• FC BGA
• FC CSP

By Application

• Mobile & Consumer
• Automotive & Transportation
• IT & Telecom

Regional Analysis

The Asia Pacific region asserts its dominance in the advanced IC substrate market in 2023, capturing the largest share at 36.1%, which is due to well-established manufacturing units, along with a growing demand for innovative electronic devices, mainly in the context of electric vehicles (EVs). The region benefits from assistance from government initiatives that further fuel market expansion.

Moreover, North America is set to experience significant market growth, driven by its lead in semiconductor innovation. Hosting many semiconductor players and research centers, the region sees significant investments in advanced IC substrates. Also, government programs & financial incentives contribute to the sector's expansion, mainly as high-performance electronics, like game consoles, smartphones, tablets, and automotive electronics, continue to drive demand for sophisticated IC substrates.

By Region

North America

• The U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• Germany
• The U.K.
• France
• Italy
• Russia
• Spain
• Benelux
• Nordic
• Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• ANZ
• ASEAN
• Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Mexico
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• South Africa
• Israel
• Egypt
• Rest of MEA

Competitive Landscape

The global advanced IC substrates market is largely consolidated and characterized by different players competing for market share. Intense competition creates innovation & technological advancements in IC substrate solutions. Companies focus on enhancing performance, reliability, and energy efficiency to meet changing industry demands. Further, strategic collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions are common, reflecting the dynamic nature of the market as players aim to solidify their positions and capture emerging opportunities.

 
In February 2023, Samsung Electro-Mechanics launched a specialized automotive semiconductor package with an FC BGA substrate customized for driving assistance systems, broadening the scope of chip applications in vehicles, which is designed to meet the technical challenges of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). While Samsung's existing FCBGAs found use in PCs & smartphones, the new variant is optimized for high-performance autonomous driving applications.

Some of the prominent players in the global Advanced IC Substrates Market are:

• Fujitsu
• Unimicron Corp
• JCET Group
• Ibiden Co Ltd
• TTM Technologies
• ASE Kaohsiung
• Kyocera Corp
• Panasonic Corp
• Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd
•  AT&S Austria Technologies & Systemtechnik AG
• Other Key Players

COVID-19 Pandemic & Recession: Impact on the Global Advanced IC Substrates Market:

The COVID-19 pandemic & following economic recession highly impacted the global advanced IC substrates market. Disruptions in the supply chain, workforce limitations, & minimal consumer spending led to a temporary slowdown in manufacturing and production. The uncertainty caused businesses to reevaluate their investment plans, affecting the need for advanced IC substrates. However, as industries adapted to remote work & digital transformation accelerated, there emerged an increasing need for high-performance electronic devices. 

The switch towards 5G technology, IoT applications, & increased reliance on digital platforms contributed to a rebound in the need for advanced IC substrates. The market demonstrated resilience as it adapted to new norms, with recovery influenced by factors like vaccination efforts, economic stimulus measures, and ongoing technological advancements driving the demand for innovative semiconductor solutions.

Recent Developments

• In February 2023, Matrix Electronics and Advanced Engineering (AE) plans to launch an advanced automated robot handling and peeler system for crafting printed circuit boards (PCBs) and integrated circuit substrates. AE's dedicated engineering teams focus on expediting accurate & reliable production in their specialized shop. Also known for high-end PCB & IC substrate automation solutions, they provide clients with comprehensive automation equipment and software solutions to enhance manufacturing efficiency.
• In July 2023, a semiconductor start-up Silicon Box built a new semiconductor facility valued at USD 2 billion, reflecting the company's commitment to advancing semiconductor technology, which is expected to play a critical role in the production & packaging of semiconductors, contributing to the growth & innovation of the industry.
• In March 2023, Thinktrans, a Chinese IC substrate manufacturer, aimed to secure Series A funding in the range of USD 72.45 million to USD 144.9 million. Specializing in in-house design and production of IC substrates, further, the company directly caters to three key client groups: IDMs, OSATs, and design houses, aligning with its strategic business model.

Report Details