Sputtering Targets and Sputtered Films: Technology and Markets

Report Highlights

The global market for sputtering targets is estimated to reach $3.3 billion in 2011 and further to reach $5.9 billion by 2016 with a CAGR of 12.3% over the five year period.

Report Scope

This study provides an updated review of sputtering technology and a description of various types of sputtering targets, their properties and fabrication methods, and identifies current and potential applications for these products.  In addition, it outlines target materials and sputtered films requirements for traditional and emerging applications.

BCC Research determines the current market status of sputtering targets, defines trends, and presents forecasts of growth over the next 5 years.  Technological issues, including the latest process developments, are also discussed.

BCC Research analyzes the sputtering target industry on a worldwide basis from the standpoint of both manufacturing and consumption.  In addition, the study examines commercial and public research activities in major regions of the world.  Research objectives and areas of interest related to target materials, fabrication processes, and applications are also outlined.

More specifically, BCC’s market analysis is divided into six parts.

In the first part, a historical review of the sputtering process is provided, including an outline of recent events.  In addition, the report supplies an overview of the latest technological developments related to sputtering technology and a detailed description of current and emerging applications of sputtering.

The second part of the study summarizes typical sputtering target types, raw materials and applications, and production methods.  Each of these three sections concludes with an analysis of the most important technological developments and improvements since 2008, including examples of significant patents recently issued or applied for.  

The third part of the report entails a global market analysis of sputtering targets and sputtered films.  Global revenues (sales data in millions of dollars) are presented by application, material type and region, with actual data referring to the years 2009 and 2010, and estimates for 2011.  Projected sputtering target revenues and total sputtered film area are also supplied, with forecast compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) for the period 2011 through 2016. 

Next, details of the global market analysis are covered.  For each major application group or industry sector (specifically microelectronics, data storage media, advanced displays, mechanical/chemical devices, energy, optical coatings and others), BCC provides an updated summary of target materials and their function, and market data by device, material, and region. 

In addition, within each industry sector, a market analysis is performed by identifying market growth trends based on industry growth, technological trends, and regional trends.  Projected sputtering target revenues and total sputtered film area are reported for each sector, with forecast CAGRs for the period 2011 through 2016. 

In the fourth part, covering global industry structure, the report supplies a list of the leading manufacturers of sputtering targets and sputtered films together with a description of their products.  The analysis includes a description of the geographical distribution of these suppliers and an evaluation of sputtering target production versus consumption, always from a geographical standpoint.  Detailed company profiles of the top industry players are also provided.

In the fifth part of this study, an analysis of industry competitiveness is performed.  This analysis encompasses a review of global research and development activities and an outline of the most critical factors contributing to industry competitiveness.

The sixth and final part includes an extensive U.S. patent analysis with a summary of patents related to sputtering target materials, types, fabrication methods, and applications issued during the period 2007 (when BCC’s last report was published) through 2010.  Patent analysis is performed by region, country, assignee, and material type.

Analyst Credentials

Margareth Gagliardi, BCC’s chief research analyst in advanced materials, has more than 25 years of experience in the field of advanced materials, specializing in ceramic formulations, materials processing, and new product development.  She has held management positions in both manufacturing and R&D within U.S. and European firms producing electronic, mechanical, chemical, and structural components.  She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Ceramic Engineering. 

Ms. Gagliardi has authored numerous BCC Research studies, including the following that are related to advanced materials and electronics:

• SMC070A−Paper-Thin Displays: Technologies and Global Markets, 2011
• EGY068−Supercapacitors: Technology Developments and Global Markets, 2010
• AVM014D−Ceramic Matrix Composites: Technologies and Global Markets, 2010
• NAN043B −Nanofibers: Technologies and Developing Markets, 2010
• AVM069A−Photocatalysts: Technologies and Global Markets, 2010
• SMC061B−Atomic Layer Deposition, 2010
• AVM046B−Thick Film Devices, Processes and Applications, 2010
• AVM018F−Rare Earths: Worldwide Markets, Applications, Technologies, 2009
• AVM052B −Aerogels, 2009
• AVM065A −Smart Glass: Technologies and Global Markets, 2009
• AVM047B−Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) Equipment and Materials, 2008
• PLS046A−Polymer Absorbents and Adsorbents, Including SAPs and Polymer Gels, 2008
• SMC037D−Sputtering Targets and Sputtered Films: Technology and Markets, 2008