Jun 14 2006
Strong demand for hard disk drives (HDDs) for mobile applications is propelling the CMP slurry market, according to the report “The Hard Disk Drive Industry: Market Analysis and Processing Trends”, recently published by The Information Network, a New Tripoli, PA-based market research company.
“The total market for ceria slurry for 1- and 1.8-inch glass disks was $9.1 million in 2005," notes Dr. Robert N. Castellano, President of The Information Network. “The market is expected to quadruple to $21.8 million in 2009.”
ASP has been relatively flat over the past several years and is expected to continue to do so through 2009. While increased volumes would dictate a commodization of the slurry, abrasive particle size will decrease over this time frame, increasing the slurry price.
In 2003, 60% of slurry was at the 1.5-micron particle size. In 2004, 40% of slurry was at the 1.5-micron range, while 60% of slurry sold was at the 0.8-micron particle size. In 2005, 50% of slurry was at the 1.5-micron range, and 50% of slurry sold was at the 0.8-micron particle size.
Showa Denko led the market in 2005 with a 41.5% share of the $9.1 million market. Mitsui was close second with a 41.0% share.
The hard disk drive market is forecast to increase to 408.3 million units in 2006.