The highly complex, technology-intensive and diverse global electronics market, valued at several billions of dollars, is expected to post a strong average annual growth rate in the short-term. Growth will be influenced by important trends in the market, which will boost demand for wafers, IC devices, software and components, PCBs, materials, equipment, services and semiconductor packaging. New developments in the sector would be propelled by newer geographical markets as well as technological advancements such as wireless communications, man-machine interface, pervasive computing and video digitization that would create new markets while simultaneously regenerating older ones. Advancements would in turn be facilitated by the availability of SoC (systems-on-chip) technology, digital signal processors and more adaptable microprocessors. Other major emerging technologies include CMP slurries with higher selectivity; dual damascene processes; extensive acceptance of 300mm wafers; and precursor materials for barrier layers and low-k dielectrics. Copper and tantalum targets for seed and barrier layers; cleaning and etching gases with higher selectivity; deep UV 193mm and 248mm lithography and cleaning and etching chemicals with higher selectivity are some of the other emerging technologies.

These and other market data and trends are presented in "Electronic Chemicals: World Market Review". Our reports are designed to be most comprehensive in geographic coverage and vertical market analyses...