Carborundum Market size was USD 4.1 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 17.5 billion by the end of 2037, expanding at a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of carborundum is evaluated at USD 4.6 billion.
The carborundum market is expanding due to increasing demand for various electronics applications such as kiln furniture, process components, and electrical field grading. The synthetic abrasive known as silicon carbide (SiC) or carborundum is produced by fusing finely powdered carbon (petroleum coke) with premium silica sand at high temperatures (1600–2500°C) in an electric furnace. Due to its superior features, carborundum is rapidly being regarded as a replacement for traditional silicon semiconductors in various applications such as electric vehicles, power electronics, and semiconductor devices.
Moreover, key leaders are extensively investing in silicon carbide or carborundum to expand their production capacity and strengthen their carborundum market position. For instance, The U.S. Department of Commerce and Wolfspeed Inc., an American manufacturer of wide-bandgap semiconductors, signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of understanding (PMT) for up to USD 750 million under the CHIPS and Science Act. Additionally, a consortium of investment groups, including Apollo, The Baupost Group, Fidelity Management & Research Company, and Capital Group, pledged an extra USD 750 million in financing for Wolfspeed. These investments strengthen domestic silicon carbide production and support Wolfspeed's long-term expansion objectives.
Also, ON Semiconductor Corporation (Onsemi) extended its cutting-edge, world-class silicon carbide fabrication plant in Bucheon, South Korea. This fab will produce over 1 million 200 mm SiC wafers at full capacity each year. Moreover, STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers in a wide range of electronics applications, constructed a new high-volume 200mm silicon carbide manufacturing facility in Catania, Italy, for power devices and modules, as well as test and packaging. Production is expected to start in 2026, reaching full capacity by 2033 with a target of up to 15,000 wafers per week. The total investment for the facility is around USD 5 billion, with approximately USD 2 billion in support from the State of Italy under the EU Chips Act.
Global Leading Silicon Carbide Manufacturers
|
Company |
Market Share |
|
STMicroelectronics N.V. |
36.5% |
|
Infineon Technologies AG |
17.9% |
|
Wolfspeed, Inc. |
16.3% |
|
ON Semiconductor Corporation (Onsemi) |
11.6% |
|
Rohm Co., Ltd. |
8.1% |
|
Others |
9.6% |
Growth Drivers
|
Country |
Silicon Carbide Export Value (USD million) |
Country |
Silicon Carbide Import Value (USD million) |
|
China |
6060 |
U.S. |
2520 |
|
Norway |
1460 |
Germany |
1770 |
|
Germany |
6950 |
Japan |
1610 |
|
Netherlands |
6310 |
South Korea |
7800 |
|
Brazil |
6290 |
India |
6760 |
Source: OEC
Challenges
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
|
CAGR |
11.8% |
|
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 4.1 billion |
|
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 17.5 billion |
|
Regional Scope |
|
Product Type (Black SiC, Green SiC)
Black SiC segment is likely to account for more than 54.5% carborundum market share by the end of 2037. The segment is expanding owing to the growing application of electric arc furnaces to encourage the use of less natural raw materials. This product category is offered in block, grain, and powder forms. The product is commonly used in grain form, particularly in electric arc furnaces to produce steel and iron. The South East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI) estimated that from 1.89 billion tons (bnt) in 2023 to 1.97 billion bnt in 2030, the world's crude steel production is predicted to increase by almost 4%. Additionally, global EAF-based steel production will increase from about 550 million tons in 2023 to 790 million tons by 2030.
Application (Steel, Automotive, Aerospace, Military & Defense, Electrical & Electronics, Healthcare)
The electrical & electronics segment in carborundum market will garner a notable share in the forecast period. The product's growing importance in creating effective electronic chips will continue to be a major factor in the segment's expansion. Carborundum’s remarkable qualities, such as its increased bandgap, high-frequency functioning, chemical stability, and resistivity at high temperatures, will gain traction in the electrical and electronic sectors.
Also, various power devices in the power electronics sector are in charge of changing alternating current into direct current or vice versa within systems designed to reduce energy loss and increase system efficiency. SiC power semiconductors have higher resilience to high operating temperatures, higher voltage and current tolerances, and better power conversion efficiency than conventional silicon-based devices.
Our in-depth analysis of the global carborundum market includes the following segments:
|
Product Type |
|
|
Application |
|
APAC Market Statistics
Asia Pacific carborundum market is predicted to dominate revenue share of over 39.4% by 2037. Countries that produce steel, including China, India, Japan, and South Korea, are part of the regional market. Due to the substantial steel production bases in these nations, numerous foreign suppliers have established businesses in Asia Pacific. Also, the region's economic development has significantly changed due to its manufacturing capabilities, which has encouraged the construction of downstream industries and advanced the region's SiC penetration. Furthermore, the increased interest in renewable energy sources is escalating the carborundum market growth in the region.
In India, the growing demand for lighter and more compact power supplies in future combat systems has surged the use of carborundum/SiC technology for communications, intelligence, reconnaissance, and unmanned systems for military and commercial sectors, including electric vehicles and renewable energy. The governmental support for increasing the adoption rate of electric vehicles and renewable energy will expand the carborundum market in the country. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the strategy for the expansion of electric mobility in India was established by NITI Aayog in July 2023, aligned with the government's goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2070. Additionally, India had a remarkable eleven-fold increase in the number of electric vehicle registrations, which rose from 1.3 million in 2018 to 15.29 million by 2023.
Additionally, in China, the need for SiC power devices and conventional application areas such as refractories and abrasives will drive the growth of the carborundum market. Also, foreign automotive semiconductor vendors are seeking long-term partnerships with SiC wafer suppliers. In May 2023, to obtain more competitive silicon carbide (SiC) sources and broaden its base of SiC material suppliers, Infineon Technologies AG entered into an arrangement with SICC, a Chinese supplier. Under the deal, SICC will provide the German semiconductor manufacturer with high-quality and competitive 150-millimeter boules and wafers for producing SiC semiconductors, accounting for a double-digit portion of the long-term projected demand.
Europe Market Analysis
Europe carborundum market is expected to grow significantly during the assessed period. The market growth is influenced by the region's strong dedication to energy-efficient technology, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy. The growing use of carborundum devices in various industries is largely due to the European Union's strict regulations to lower carbon emissions and its vigorous support of green technologies. The shift to renewable energy sources like wind and solar power is accelerated by Europe's ambitious climate targets and programs, such as the European Green Deal.
Furthermore, the need for key power electrical devices and systems is expected to rise as the UK shifts to electric vehicle production over the next ten to fifteen years, with certain manufacturers and brands pledging to become entirely electric as early as 2025. The nation's carborundum market will grow as a result of this need. The government is introducing several programs to boost domestic SiC production. One of these, the USD 20.63 million ESCAPE (End-to-end Supply Chain development for Automotive Power Electronics) program, is funded by Innovate UK and the Advanced Propulsion Centre and aims to support a domestic SiC supply chain from epitaxial deposition to power converter manufacturing.
Numerous vendors are present at different stages of the value chain, contributing to the carborundum market's significant fragmentation. While a few well-established vendors are attempting to integrate with developing value-added goods for the electronics sector, the main vendors are concentrated on developing SiC-based abrasives. With significant carborundum market developments including new product releases, contracts, higher investments, and cooperation with other players, companies are also implementing a variety of measures to expand their global presence.
Author Credits: Rajrani Baghel
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